推翻

• Pinyin: tuī fān
• Hanzi breakdown: 推 = 扌 (hand) + 隹 (bird, phonetic); 翻 = 番 (turn) + 羽 (feathers)

Meaning

To overturn; to topple; to overthrow; to refute. Used for overthrowing regimes, overturning decisions, or invalidating arguments.

Versatile verb covering both physical toppling and abstract invalidation. In political contexts means overthrow of a government or system. In academic/legal contexts means to refute or disprove. In everyday speech means to reverse a previous decision or plan.

Examples

1. 新发现的证据彻底推翻了原来的判决。 The newly discovered evidence completely overturned the original verdict.
2. 这场革命推翻了持续数百年的封建王朝。 This revolution overthrew a feudal dynasty that had lasted for hundreds of years.
3. 会议刚结束，方案又被上司推翻重来。 The meeting had just ended when the plan was overturned by the supervisor and had to start over.

Usage Guide

Context: political, legal, professional, everyday

Tone: assertive

Do Say

• 这个论点已经被最新研究推翻了。(This argument has been overturned by the latest research.)
• 他的证词推翻了之前所有的假设。(His testimony overturned all previous assumptions.)

Don't Say

• 用'推翻'描述轻微的意见改变 (推翻 implies complete invalidation; for minor adjustments use 修改 or 调整)

Origin & History

Compound of 推 (push) + 翻 (flip over). Literally 'push and flip over,' conveying forceful reversal or toppling.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal