‘兼并’ (jiān bìng) is a formal verb meaning ‘to merge’ or ‘to annex’, especially in the context of companies, organizations, or territories. It implies one entity absorbing another, resulting in loss of the latter’s independent status. The character 兼 (jiān) means ‘simultaneous’ or ‘to hold both’, suggesting taking on additional responsibilities or assets; 并 (bìng) means ‘to combine’ or ‘to unite’. Together, they convey the idea of incorporating another entity fully — not just cooperation, but absorption. This term is common in business news, legal documents, and economic policy discussions.

It carries a neutral-to-slightly-strong connotation: while often used descriptively (e.g., in financial reporting), it can imply power imbalance or strategic dominance. Unlike more general terms like ‘cooperate’ or ‘partner’, 兼并 always involves structural integration — the acquired company ceases to exist as a separate legal entity. It’s rarely used for informal or small-scale arrangements, and never for personal relationships or non-organizational contexts.