克服

• Pinyin: kè fú
• Hanzi breakdown: 克 = 十 (ten) + 兄 (elder brother), originally meaning to be able to; 服 = 月 (flesh/body) + 卩 (kneeling person) + 又 (hand), meaning to submit

Meaning

To overcome; to conquer; to surmount. To successfully deal with a difficulty or problem.

Used for overcoming difficulties, challenges, fears, bad habits, or obstacles. It implies effort and determination. Common collocations include 克服困难 (overcome difficulties), 克服恐惧 (conquer fear), and 克服缺点 (overcome shortcomings).

Examples

1. 我们一定能克服这个困难。 We can definitely overcome this difficulty.
2. 她克服了对水的恐惧，学会了游泳。 She conquered her fear of water and learned to swim.
3. 你要努力克服自己的缺点。 You should work hard to overcome your shortcomings.

Usage Guide

Context: challenge, self-improvement, motivation

Tone: determined

Do Say

• 他终于克服了困难，完成了任务。(He finally overcame the difficulty and completed the task.)
• 我们要一起克服这个问题。(We need to overcome this problem together.)

Don't Say

• 我克服了这道数学题。(Don't use 克服 for solving a maths problem — use 解决 or 做出来. Say 我解决了这道数学题.)

Origin & History

Compound of 克 (to overcome/restrain) and 服 (to submit/subdue). 克 originally meant to be able to or to restrain, while 服 meant to submit. Together they convey the idea of subduing and mastering a challenge.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal