反诉 (fǎn sù) — (law) counterclaim, countercharge

Definition

noun

(law) counterclaimcountercharge

Measure word · 个

反诉。
Bèi gào zài fǎ tíng shàng tí chū le fǎn sù.
The defendant filed a counterclaim in court.
反诉。
Fǎ yuàn jué dìng jiāng běn sù hé fǎn sù hé bìng shěn lǐ.
The court decided to hear the original suit and the counterclaim together.
反诉。
Tā de fǎn sù bèi fǎ guān bó huí le.
His counterclaim was dismissed by the judge.

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fǎnopposite

反 means opposite or counter, and 诉 means to sue or bring a claim, giving a counterclaim.

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.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 訴; 诉 is its simplified writing.

言斥訴

Meaning part形符xíngfú

言言yánword, speak

Sound part声符shēngfú

斥

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 訴 pairs 言 (word, speak) with 斥, which gives the sound and points to accusing by speech. The simplified 诉 is a later shorthand.