Definition
此起彼伏 is a fixed phrase meaning 'to rise and fall in succession' — it describes multiple events (applause, waves, protests) that alternate continuously, one starting as another subsides. Unlike the verb 起伏 (qǐ fú), which simply means 'to rise and fall' (of terrain, emotions, markets), 此起彼伏 emphasizes the sequential, alternating pattern of many occurrences.
phrase
to rise and fall in successionto occur one after anothercontinuously alternating
Examples
- 此起彼伏，。Huìchǎng lǐ zhǎngshēng cǐ qǐ bǐ fú, qìfēn fēicháng rèliè.Applause rose and fell in the venue, and the atmosphere was very enthusiastic.
- 此起彼伏，。Hǎimiàn shàng bōlàng cǐ qǐ bǐ fú, yúchuán zài làng zhōng yáohuàng.Waves rose and fell on the sea, and the fishing boat rocked in the waves.
- ，此起彼伏，。Jìn jǐ nián lái, gè dì de kàngyì huódòng cǐ qǐ bǐ fú, zhèngfǔ miànlín hěn dà yālì.In recent years, protests have occurred one after another across the country, putting the government under great pressure.
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