覆 (fù) - To cover & to overturn

覆Tone 4

fù ｜ 18 strokes ｜ radical:

枫惠

覆 · fù

To cover;

to overturn;

to capsize;

to reply;

to repeat;

to restore;

to return.

To coverto overturnto capsize

Usage highlights

To coverTo replyTo overturnTo capsizeTo restoreTo repeat

Synonyms

  • 盖— to cover (a lid, to cover something)
  • 翻— to turn over, to flip
  • 倒— to fall, to collapse

Antonyms

  • 立— to stand, to establish
  • 正— upright, correct
  • 建— to build, to construct

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The boat capsized in the storm (船在暴风雨中覆没).
  • Please reply to my letter (请回复我的信).
  • The army suffered a crushing defeat (军队覆灭).
  • The government was overthrown (政府被颠覆).

Collocations

  • To cover(覆盖)
  • To reply(回复)
  • To overturn(颠覆)
  • To capsize(覆没)
  • To restore(恢复)
  • To repeat(重复)

Idioms

  • To overturn a nest, leaving no eggs intact(覆巢无完卵)
  • Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it(水能载舟，亦能覆舟)
  • To repeat the same mistakes(重蹈覆辙)
  • Heaven's net is wide; none escape its meshes (天网恢恢，疏而不漏) [Note: associated with the concept of cosmic justice/retribution, though not containing 覆]

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Historically associated with concepts of reversal, downfall, and cyclical return.
  • Appears in philosophical contexts, such as the idea that water (the people) can both support and overturn the boat (the ruler).
  • Implies a sense of completeness or totality in covering or overturning.

FAQ