反击

• Pinyin: fǎn jī
• Hanzi breakdown: 反 = 厂 + 又 — reversal/opposition; 击 (擊) = 手 (hand) + 殳 (weapon) — to strike with a weapon or hand

Meaning

To counter-attack; to strike back; to fight back against an aggressor or challenge.

Used in military, political, legal, competitive, and interpersonal contexts. 反击 implies an active, forceful response to an attack — not merely defending, but retaliating with directed force. Common in political rhetoric, sports commentary, and legal disputes.

Examples

1. 面对竞争对手发起的价格战，这家企业选择以技术创新和品牌差异化为武器展开精准反击，而非陷入低价竞争的泥潭。 Facing a price war launched by a competitor, the company chose to strike back with technological innovation and brand differentiation, rather than getting dragged into a low-price race to the bottom.
2. 遭受网络暴力的当事人委托律师发表了一份措辞严正的声明，对散布谣言者提出了法律层面的正式反击。 The victim of online abuse hired a lawyer to issue a strongly worded statement, launching a formal legal counterattack against those who spread rumors.
3. 队伍在上半场连失两球后，主教练在中场休息时紧急调整战术，下半场球队立即展开猛烈的反击，最终以三比二逆转取胜。 After conceding two goals in the first half, the head coach made urgent tactical adjustments at halftime; in the second half the team immediately launched a fierce counterattack and ultimately came back to win 3–2.

Usage Guide

Context: military, politics, sport, legal

Tone: assertive

Do Say

• 候选人没有还击人身攻击，而是用政策主张有力反击。(The candidate did not answer personal attacks in kind, but countered forcefully with policy proposals.)
• 现代战争中的反击必须迅速完成研判、决策和火力协同。(Counterattacks in modern warfare must quickly coordinate assessment, decisions, and firepower.)

Don't Say

• 反击一下 — 一下 trivialises what 反击 implies; use 发动反击 or 展开反击 for the full gravity of a counter-attack, and reserve 回应一下 for lighter pushback in everyday contexts

Origin & History

反 (against/back) + 击 (to strike/hit) — to strike back against an attacker

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal