翻动 (fān dòng) — to turn over; to flip (something)

Definition

Means to turn over or flip a physical object — pages, food, stones — changing its position or orientation. Close to 翻, but emphasizes the resulting movement rather than searching or reading.

verb
to turn overto flip (something)

Examples

  • 翻动。
    Qǐng fān dòng yí xià shū yè.
    Please turn over the pages.
  • 翻动。
    Tā zhèng zài fān dòng guō lǐ de jiān bing.
    He is flipping the pancake in the pan.
  • 翻动。
    Tā yòng lì fān dòng nà kuài dà shí tou.
    He used force to turn over that big stone.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

翻fānturn over
动dòngmove

翻 and 动 both express turning or moving, so together they mean to flip something and change its position.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
羽羽yǔwings
Sound part声符shēngfú
番
番fān翻fān
Same sound today

翻 pairs 羽 (wings) with 番, which gives the sound. The shape shows something fluttering.

Open 翻 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 動; 动 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
力力lìstrength
Sound part声符shēngfú
重
重zhòng動dòng
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 動 uses 力 (strength) and 重 as a sound part; 重 refers to a heavy bag ready to be moved by a human. This note is about 動, not 动.

Open 动 →

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