反抗

• Pinyin: fǎn kàng
• Hanzi breakdown: 反 = hand + cliff — turning back; 抗 = 扌 (hand) + 亢 (high) — resisting with raised hands

Meaning

To resist; to rebel; to fight back. Active opposition against authority, oppression, or control.

Implies active resistance against perceived injustice or authority, stronger than passive non-compliance. Key contexts: 反抗压迫 (resist oppression), 反抗精神 (spirit of resistance), 武装反抗 (armed resistance). Can be positive (freedom fighters) or negative (rebellious children) depending on context.

Examples

1. 青春期的孩子往往会反抗父母的管教，这是成长的正常阶段。 Adolescent children often rebel against their parents' discipline — it's a normal stage of growth.
2. 那段历史时期，人民不断反抗殖民统治，最终赢得了独立。 During that historical period, the people continually resisted colonial rule and eventually won independence.
3. 面对不公正的待遇，她选择勇敢反抗而不是默默忍受。 Faced with unfair treatment, she chose to bravely fight back rather than silently endure.

Usage Guide

Context: politics, psychology, history

Tone: assertive

Do Say

• 年轻人有反抗精神是好事。(It's good that young people have a spirit of resistance.)
• 她从不反抗，总是默默承受。(She never fights back; she always endures silently.)

Don't Say

• 用反抗形容轻微的不同意 (Don't use 反抗 for mild disagreement — it implies strong, active opposition; use 不同意 or 反对 instead)

Origin & History

Compound of 反 (oppose, turn against) + 抗 (resist). Together they mean to turn against and resist.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal