Definitions
(verb)
to pour; to throw out; to invert; to place upside down
(adverb)
actually; however; contrary to expectation
(verb)
to fall; to collapse; to fail
(verb)
to change (transportation); to transfer
About
The character "倒" is structured with the 亻 radical indicating human involvement and the component 到 primarily serving a phonetic function, with its earliest uses centered on the physical act of falling or collapsing. Over time, its meaning extended to include causing something to fall, such as in pouring or overturning objects, and it developed metaphorical applications like overthrowing or failing. Further semantic evolution led to its adverbial role expressing contradiction or unexpected outcomes, reflecting an adaptation of its core concept of reversal into both concrete and abstract contexts.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
他把杯子倒满了。
树被大风刮倒了。
请把垃圾倒在桶里。
这本书的页码印倒了。
请把顺序倒过来再说一遍。
开车前一定要先倒车。
那家公司因为经营不善倒闭了。
他不但没生气，倒笑了起来。