翻版 (fān bǎn) — (noun) reprint; duplicate copy (especially of a book or publication); (verb-object) to reprint; to duplicate

Definition

Literally 'flipped edition': a copy or reproduction of an original work, often implying imitation rather than an authorized reprint. Compare 盗版 (pirated/illegal copy).

noun
reprintduplicate copy (especially of a book or publication)(verb-object) to reprintto duplicate
Measure word · 个
Easily confused

Examples

  • 著翻版。
    Zhè běn xiǎo shuō shì yuán zhù de fān bǎn.
    This novel is a reprint of the original.
  • 翻版。
    Tā de shè jì wán quán shì nà ge pǐn pái de fān bǎn.
    His design is a complete copy of that brand.
  • 翻版。
    Chū bǎn shè fān bǎn le zhè běn jīng diǎn zhù zuò.
    The publishing house reprinted this classic work.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

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

翻fānturn over
版bǎnprinting plate

翻 suggests turning or copying, while 版 is the printing plate or edition.

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
羽羽yǔwings
Sound part声符shēngfú
番
番fān翻fān
Same sound today

翻 pairs 羽 (wings) with 番, which gives the sound. The shape shows something fluttering.

Open 翻 →

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
片片piàn
Sound part声符shēngfú
反
反fǎn版bǎn
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

版 is formed by 片 and 反, with 片 contributing the sense and 反 the sound.

Open 版 →

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