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颠覆 (diān fù) — to topple, to capsize (physically); to overthrow, to subvert (a regime, system, or belief)

Definition

Means to overthrow or subvert a regime, system, or belief — stronger than 推翻, which focuses on physically toppling a government or rejecting a decision. Pairs naturally with abstract targets like beliefs or order, not just governments.

verb
to toppleto capsize (physically)to overthrowto subvert (a regime, system, or belief)

Examples

  • 颠覆。
    Bào fēng yǔ bǎ yú chuán diān fù le.
    The storm capsized the fishing boat.
  • 颠覆。
    Nà nián tā men jì huà diān fù zhèng fǔ.
    That year they planned to overthrow the government.
  • 颠覆。
    Zhè běn shū diān fù le xǔ duō jiù guān niàn.
    This book subverted many old ideas.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

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

颠diāntopple
覆fùoverturn

颠 and 覆 both suggest overturning, so 颠覆 means to topple or subvert.

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.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 顛; 颠 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
頁頁yèhead
Sound part声符shēngfú
真
真zhēn顛diān
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 顛 combines 頁, a head, with 真 as a sound clue; the simplified 颠 is a later shorthand, and its parts are not the historical pieces.

Open 颠 →

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
襾襾yà
Sound part声符shēngfú
復
復fù覆fù
Same sound today

覆 pairs 襾, a part connected to the meaning, with 復, which gives the sound.

Open 覆 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9Change & Process

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