About
The character 翻, composed of the phonetic component 番 and the semantic component 羽, derives from early associations with the flapping of wings or turning in flight, as indicated by the feather element. Its primary sense of physically turning over or overturning objects expanded over time to include metaphorical extensions such as translating text, where ideas are turned from one language to another, and rebelling, which implies a turning against authority. The structural consistency of the character, with 羽 reinforcing notions of movement and 番 contributing phonetic value, has supported this semantic evolution from concrete actions to abstract concepts without necessitating changes in its written form.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
他翻开一本书。
妈妈在翻照片。
弟弟把杯子翻倒了。
我每天翻看报纸。
因为风大，船差点翻了。
她翻出旧日记，回忆过去。
如果你翻过那座山，就能看到美丽的湖泊。
这本书被翻译成多种语言，翻遍了全世界。