倾覆 (qīng fù) — to overturn, to capsize, to topple (literal or figurative)

Definition

Literary/formal verb meaning 'to overturn, capsize, topple over' — used for ships, regimes, or plans collapsing. Much more written than colloquial 推翻 or 翻倒.

verb
to overturnto capsizeto topple (literal or figurative)

Examples

  • 倾覆。
    Nà sōu chuán zài bào fēng yǔ zhōng qīng fù le.
    That ship capsized in the storm.
  • 倾覆。
    Zhè ge zhèng quán zuì zhōng bèi qīng fù le.
    This regime was eventually overthrown.
  • 倾覆。
    Tā de jì huà yīn zī jīn bù zú ér qīng fù.
    His plan overturned due to insufficient funds.

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.

倾qīngtilt
覆fùoverturn

Tilting in 倾 and overturning in 覆 combine to mean topple or capsize.

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 傾; 倾 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
人人rénman
Sound part声符shēngfú
頃
頃qǐng傾qīng
Same sound today

The traditional form 傾 combines 人 (man) with 頃, which gives the sound; 倾 is the simplified form of 傾.

Open 倾 →

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 →

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