废除 (fèi chú) — to abolish, to repeal, to abrogate

Definition

废除 is a formal verb for officially abolishing laws, systems, or institutions. Stronger and more institutional than 撤销 (revoke a single decision); broader than 破除, which targets abstract ideas like superstition.

verb
to abolishto repealto abrogate

Examples

  • 废除
    Xīn zhèng fǔ yí shàng tái jiù fèi chú le jiù xiàn fǎ.
    The new government abolished the old constitution as soon as it came to power.
  • 废除
    Xiào yuán tǐ fá zhì dù yǐ bèi fèi chú duō nián.
    The corporal punishment system in schools was abolished many years ago.
  • 废除
    Zhè xiàng qí shì nǚ xìng de lòu xí bì xū chè dǐ fèi chú.
    This bad practice of discriminating against women must be completely abolished.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

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

fèiabolish
chúremove

“废” (abolish) and “除” (remove) act together to mean doing away with something.

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 廢; 废 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
广广guǎnghouse
Sound part声符shēngfú
fèi
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 廢 shows 广 as a house and 發 as the sound.

Open 废 →

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

除 is built from 阜 and 余, with 余 giving the sound.

Open 除 →

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