反

fǎn

又 + 𠂆

HSK 3.0Level 5

Definitions

fǎn (adjective) opposite; contrary; against

fǎn (verb) to reverse; to turn over; to return

fǎn (verb) to oppose; to rebel

fǎn (prefix) anti-

Etymology

Pictograph of a hand (又) climbing a cliff (厂). Based on original meaning "climb", now written as 扳. The meaning later shifted to "pull" and "reverse".

About

反 is formed by 厂 (a cliff) and 又 (a hand), originally depicting a hand climbing a cliff. Its earliest recorded meaning is 'climb', now written 扳. From the physical act of pulling oneself upward, the sense shifted to 'pull' and subsequently broadened to 'reverse, turn back, oppose'. Today, 反 carries these ideas into many contexts: physical reversal or return, political revolt or rebellion, and abstract opposition, contrast, or counteraction against an expected norm or direction.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他反对这个提议。

Tā fǎnduì zhège tíyì.

He opposes this proposal.

反复练习才能学好。

Fǎnfù liànxí cái néng xué hǎo.

Only by practicing repeatedly can one learn well.

这两件事正好相反。

Zhè liǎng jiàn shì zhènghǎo xiāngfǎn.

These two things are exactly opposite.

他对新环境反应很快。

Tā duì xīn huánjìng fǎnyìng hěn kuài.

He reacts quickly to new environments.

她反而感谢我的批评。

Tā fǎn'ér gǎnxiè wǒ de pīpíng.

She, on the contrary, thanked me for my criticism.

人民反抗压迫的斗争持续着。

Rénmín fǎnkàng yāpò de dòuzhēng chíxùzhe.

The people's struggle against oppression continues.

反腐败是政府的重要任务。

Fǎn fǔbài shì zhèngfǔ de zhòngyào rènwù.

Anti-corruption is an important task for the government.

从反面角度思考问题有时很有用。

Cóng fǎnmiàn jiǎodù sīkǎo wèntí yǒushí hěn yǒuyòng.

Thinking from a negative perspective is sometimes very useful.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 又

Component: 𠂆

Example Words