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 () climbing a cliff (). Based on original meaning "climb", now written as . The meaning later shifted to "pull" and "reverse".

About

The character "反" originates from an ideographic representation where the component "厂" signifies a cliff and "又" depicts a hand, conveying the action of pressing against or overturning. This initial concept of physical opposition established its core meanings of against, reverse, or rebel. Over centuries, its semantic range expanded to incorporate additional notions such as return or reflection, while its graphical composition stabilized into the current form. In contemporary usage, "反" functions primarily as a morpheme denoting opposition or contrast, evident in compounds like 反对 (oppose) and 反面 (reverse side).

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

对这个提议。

Tā fǎnduì zhège tíyì.

He opposes this proposal.

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

Zhè liǎng jiàn shì zhènghǎo xiāngfǎn.

These two things are exactly opposite.

他对新环境应很快。

Tā duì xīn huánjìng fǎnyìng hěn kuài.

He reacts quickly to new environments.

而感谢我的批评。

Tā fǎn'ér gǎnxiè wǒ de pīpíng.

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

人民抗压迫的斗争持续着。

Rénmín fǎnkàng yāpò de dòuzhēng chíxùzhe.

The people's struggle against oppression continues.

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.

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.