策反 (cè fǎn) — to incite defection or rebellion (in an enemy camp)

Definition

A military/political verb meaning to persuade or induce people in an opposing camp to switch sides. Typically used in wartime, espionage, or political struggle contexts — not everyday speech.

verb
to incite defection or rebellion (in an enemy camp)

Examples

  • 策反。
    Qíng bào bù mén shì tú cè fǎn dí jūn jiàng lǐng.
    The intelligence department tried to incite defection among enemy generals.
  • 策反。
    Tā yīn wèi bèi cè fǎn ér bèi pàn le zǔ zhī.
    He was incited to defect and betrayed the organization.
  • ，策反。
    Zài zhàn zhēng shí qī, cè fǎn shì yì zhǒng cháng jiàn de zhàn shù.
    During wartime, inciting defection is a common tactic.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

策cèplot
反fǎndefection

策 means to plot or incite and 反 means defection, so the word denotes causing the other side to turn.

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
竹竹zhúbamboo
Sound part声符shēngfú
朿
朿cì策cè
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

策 pairs 竹 (bamboo) with 朿 as a sound part.

Open 策 →

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
又又yòuhand
Sound part声符shēngfú
厂
厂chǎng反fǎn
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.

Open 反 →

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.