反扑 (fǎn pū) — to counterattack, to strike back (after being p…

Definition

A 'counterattack' launched by the side that was just pushed back or defeated — implies a fierce, retaliatory strike rather than a routine response.

verb

to counterattackto strike back (after being pushed back or losing ground)

，反扑。
Dí jūn bèi jī tuì hòu, yòu zǔ zhī le xīn de fǎn pū.
After the enemy forces were repelled, they organized a new counterattack.
反扑，。
Xià bàn chǎng tā men fā dòng le měng liè de fǎn pū, lián jìn liǎng qiú.
In the second half, they launched a fierce counterattack, scoring two goals in a row.
，反扑。
Miàn duì pī píng, tā lì kè zuò chū le yǒu lì de fǎn pū.
Facing criticism, he immediately made a forceful counterattack.

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

反 gives reverse, and 扑 gives pounce, so the whole means a pounce back.

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

Sound part声符shēngfú

厂

Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

反 uses 又 (hand) for meaning and 厂 for sound. Its original shape showed a hand turning its palm over, giving the sense of return or reverse.

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

Sound part声符shēngfú

卜

Same sound today

扑 uses 手 (hand) for meaning and 卜 (bǔ) for sound.