About
The character 叛, representing betrayal or revolt, structurally combines the component 反, which carries the meaning of opposition or turning against, with 半, likely serving as an ancient phonetic indicator despite the divergence in modern pronunciations. Etymologically, this formation points to an original sense of splitting or defection, aligning with the conceptual blend of halving and opposing inherent in its parts. Over time, its semantic range narrowed and solidified around the specific act of renouncing allegiance or engaging in rebellion against a recognized authority, a core meaning that has remained consistent through classical and modern usage without substantial deviation. The character's form, composed of these two elements, has been preserved without structural alteration across the history of written Chinese.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
他背叛了朋友。
这个叛徒被抓住了。
他们策划了一场叛乱。
背叛国家是不可饶恕的。
那个组织内部出现了叛变。
历史上有许多著名的叛国事件。
他因叛逃到敌国而被通缉。
在权力斗争中，叛离原阵营往往需要巨大勇气。