‘逼供’ (bī gòng) literally combines ‘逼’ (to force, coerce, or pressure) and ‘供’ (to confess or admit, especially in a legal context). Together, it means to extract a confession through unlawful or unethical means—such as threats, physical abuse, sleep deprivation, or psychological intimidation. It is a serious violation of human rights and due process, strictly prohibited under Chinese law and international legal standards.

This term is almost exclusively used in formal, legal, or journalistic contexts to describe abusive interrogation practices by authorities. It carries strong negative connotations and implies illegitimacy and moral condemnation. While ‘供’ alone can refer neutrally to testimony or confession, adding ‘逼’ transforms the phrase into a term of grave ethical and legal concern—often appearing in reports on wrongful convictions, judicial reform discussions, or human rights advocacy.