覆す

• Reading: くつがえす
• Romaji: kutsugaesu
• Kanji breakdown: 覆 (fuku/kutsu) — overturn, cover, conceal
• Pronunciation: /kɯ.t͡sɯ.ɡa.e.sɯ/

Meaning

To overturn; to reverse; to upset. Used for overturning decisions, rulings, or established situations.

A Group 1 (godan) transitive verb meaning to flip something upside down, both literally and figuratively. Commonly used for reversing court decisions, overturning conventional wisdom, or upsetting expectations. It implies a dramatic, forceful change.

Examples

1. 裁判所の判決が上告で覆された。 The court's ruling was overturned on appeal.
2. 常識を覆す発明が世界を変えた。 An invention that overturned conventional wisdom changed the world.
3. チームは終盤で劣勢を覆して勝利した。 The team came from behind in the final stretch to win.

Usage Guide

Context: legal, news, sports

Tone: dramatic

Origin & History

From 覆 (to cover, to overturn). The kanji combines 襾 (cover) with the radical suggesting reversal, evoking the image of flipping a covered vessel upside down.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal