谋反 (móu fǎn) — to plot rebellion, to conspire treason | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

A formal, historical term for 'plotting rebellion' against the ruler or state — used in classical and legal contexts, not everyday speech.

verb

to plot rebellionto conspire treason

Examples

谋反，。
Tā men mì móu móu fǎn, dàn bèi fā xiàn le.
They secretly plotted rebellion but were discovered.
谋反。
Gǔ dài xǔ duō dà chén yīn wèi móu fǎn bèi chǔ sǐ.
In ancient times, many officials were executed for plotting treason.
谋反。
Shǐ shū shàng jì zǎi le tā móu fǎn de shì.
Historical records documented his rebellion plot.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

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

反fǎnrebellion

谋 means plot, and 反 means rebellion, so 谋反 is plotting a rebellion.

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 謀; 谋 is its simplified writing.

言某謀

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

某

某mǒu謀móu

Same sound today

The traditional form 謀 uses 言 to show it relates to speech and 某 to show its sound; the simplified 谋 is a later shorthand.

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.

Appears in

Government & Politics

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