压倒

• Pinyin: yā dǎo
• Hanzi breakdown: 压 = 厂 + 土 (cliff + earth — pressing down with weight); 倒 = 亻+ 到 (person + arrive — to fall/topple over)

Meaning

To overwhelm; to overpower; to decisively surpass. Describes one force, argument, quantity, or quality completely dominating or defeating another.

Used for decisive superiority in quantity, argument, force, or emotional impact. The derived adjective 压倒性 (overwhelming/decisive) is widely used in political, competitive, and rhetorical contexts. Also used in figurative senses — e.g. one concern overwhelming another.

Examples

1. 候选人以压倒性的得票优势赢得了此次选举，创下了该选区自设立以来的历史最高纪录。 The candidate won the election by an overwhelming margin, setting a new all-time record for the district since it was established.
2. 面对一系列压倒一切的证据，被告律师最终选择了认罪协商，以换取法庭酌情从轻处罚。 Faced with a mountain of overwhelming evidence, the defense attorney ultimately chose to negotiate a plea deal to seek a lighter sentence at the court’s discretion.
3. 这部纪录片以压倒传统剧情片的真实冲击力，感动了无数观众，并在社会上引发了广泛而深入的讨论。 With a real-world impact that overwhelms traditional dramas, this documentary moved countless viewers and sparked broad, in-depth discussion across society.

Usage Guide

Context: politics, competition, rhetoric, law

Tone: strong

Do Say

• 改革方案以压倒多数票获得通过，反映出代表们对现行制度弊端的高度共识。(The reform proposal was passed by an overwhelming majority, reflecting the representatives' strong consensus on the shortcomings of the current system.)
• 这场辩论中，她的论点层层递进，最终以无可辩驳的逻辑彻底压倒了对方的全部立场。(In the debate, her arguments built steadily, ultimately overwhelming all of her opponent's positions with irrefutable logic.)

Don't Say

• 这个味道压倒了我 — for being overwhelmed by a smell use 熏倒 or 被气味熏到了; 压倒 is not used for sensory experiences like odours

Origin & History

压 (press down/suppress) + 倒 (fall/topple) — pressing down with such force that something is toppled

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal