征服

• Pinyin: zhēng fú
• Hanzi breakdown: 征 = 彳(step) + 正 (upright), to march on an expedition; 服 = 月 (body) + 又 (hand), to submit/obey

Meaning

To conquer; to overcome; to win over. Used for subduing enemies, overcoming challenges, or winning someone's admiration.

Can be used literally (to conquer a territory) or figuratively (to conquer a mountain, to win someone's heart). 征服 implies a complete victory over something formidable. The object can be a place, a person's feelings, or an abstract challenge.

Examples

1. 他用一首动人的歌曲征服了现场所有的观众。 He won over every audience member at the venue with a moving song.
2. 人类征服自然的欲望有时会给环境带来很大的破坏。 Humanity's desire to conquer nature sometimes causes great damage to the environment.
3. 经过三年的艰苦训练，她终于征服了这座海拔五千米的高山。 After three years of gruelling training, she finally conquered the 5,000-metre peak.

Usage Guide

Context: history, sports, achievement

Tone: strong

Do Say

• 这部电影征服了全球数亿观众。(This film won over hundreds of millions of viewers worldwide.)
• 他们的团队用出色的表现征服了所有评委。(Their team won over all the judges with an outstanding performance.)

Don't Say

• 在日常对话中用'征服'来描述赢得一场普通比赛 (Avoid using 征服 for a routine game win — it implies a formidable opponent or great challenge; use 赢 or 获胜 for ordinary victories)

Origin & History

From 征 (to go on a military expedition, 彳step + 正 upright) and 服 (to submit, 月 body + 又 hand), originally meaning to bring someone to submission through military force.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal