About
败 is a phonosemantic compound, simplified from the traditional 敗. The right side, 攵, depicts a hand holding a stick and conveys the core meaning of striking or defeating. The left side, 贝 (cowrie shell), historically a symbol of money and valuables, here provides the sound. Over time, the character's reference broadened from the idea of material ruin to encompass failure, losing a battle or competition, and eventually spoilage and decay, as in rotting food or withering leaves.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
失败并不可怕。
我们队打败了对手。
他在比赛中败给了经验更丰富的选手。
政府决心打击腐败现象。
他真是个败家子。
这幅画的配色是唯一的败笔。
面对已定的败局，他依然保持着风度。
敌军在猛烈攻势下全线败退。
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