Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== kefu: 克服 - Overcome, Conquer, Surmount ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **Keywords:** kefu, kèfú, 克服, how to say overcome in Chinese, overcome difficulties Chinese, Chinese word for conquer, surmount challenges in Chinese, kefu meaning, 克服 HSK, Chinese verb for overcoming fear * **Summary:** Learn the powerful Chinese verb **克服 (kèfú)**, which means "to overcome," "conquer," or "surmount." This guide explores how to use `kèfú` to talk about overcoming difficulties, conquering fears, and breaking bad habits. Discover its cultural significance related to perseverance and see practical examples that will help you use this essential HSK 4 word like a native speaker. ===== Core Meaning ===== * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** kèfú * **Part of Speech:** Verb * **HSK Level:** HSK 4 * **Concise Definition:** To overcome, conquer, or surmount a difficulty, challenge, or weakness through conscious effort. * **In a Nutshell:** `克服` isn't just about a problem disappearing; it's about actively fighting and defeating it. It implies a struggle, whether internal (like fear or shyness) or external (like a technical problem or a financial crisis). The word carries a strong, positive feeling of determination, willpower, and eventual victory. When you `克服` something, you make it submit to your will. ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **克 (kè):** This character's core meaning is "to be able to," "to subdue," or "to conquer." Think of it as having the power and ability to control or defeat something. * **服 (fú):** This character means "to submit," "to yield," or "to obey." It can also mean "clothes," but in this context, it's about making something or someone submit. The character originally depicted a hand pushing a person down into submission. * **Combined Meaning:** The characters together create a vivid image: **"to conquer and make submit."** This is why `克服` is so powerful. It's not just about getting past a problem; it's about mastering it completely so that it no longer has power over you. ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== * `克服` is deeply woven into the Chinese cultural fabric, which highly values perseverance and resilience. It's a key component of the concept of **[[吃苦]] (chī kǔ)**, literally "eating bitterness," which means to endure hardship without complaint in the pursuit of a greater goal. While in the West, "overcoming adversity" is also a valued trait, it's often framed around external achievement and heroic action. * In Chinese culture, `克服` often places a stronger emphasis on the **internal struggle and self-cultivation**. It's about conquering one's own laziness, fear, or weakness. This reflects Confucian ideals about perfecting oneself through discipline and effort. So, when someone talks about `克服困难` (overcoming difficulties), they are often referring as much to the battle with their own limitations as they are to the external problem itself. It's a testament to willpower and inner strength. ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== `克服` is a standard, slightly formal verb used widely in daily life, education, and business. * **Personal Growth:** It's very common to talk about overcoming personal flaws or fears. * //"I want to overcome my shyness."// (我想克服我害羞的毛病。) * //"He finally overcame his fear of public speaking."// (他终于克服了对公开演讲的恐惧。) * **Work and Study:** Used to describe tackling challenges in a project or academic subject. * //"Our team worked together to overcome the technical difficulties."// (我们团队一起克服了技术上的困难。) * //"To learn Chinese well, you must overcome the difficulty of writing characters."// (要学好中文，你必须克服写汉字的困难。) * **Inspirational and Motivational Contexts:** This word is a favorite in speeches, slogans, and articles meant to inspire people. * //"We have the confidence to overcome any challenge!"// (我们有信心克服任何挑战！) ===== Example Sentences ===== * **Example 1:** * 他终于**克服**了对水的恐惧，学会了游泳。 * Pinyin: Tā zhōngyú **kèfú** le duì shuǐ de kǒngjù, xuéhuì le yóuyǒng. * English: He finally overcame his fear of water and learned to swim. * Analysis: A perfect example of `克服` used for an internal, personal struggle (a phobia). The result is a new skill, showing a complete victory. * **Example 2:** * 我们必须**克服**眼前的困难。 * Pinyin: Wǒmen bìxū **kèfú** yǎnqián de kùnnan. * English: We must overcome the difficulties right in front of us. * Analysis: This is a very common and motivational phrase. `眼前的困难` (yǎnqián de kùnnan) means "the current/present difficulties." * **Example 3:** * 想要成功，你首先要**克服**自己懒惰的毛病。 * Pinyin: Xiǎngyào chénggōng, nǐ shǒuxiān yào **kèfú** zìjǐ lǎnduò de máobìng. * English: If you want to succeed, you first have to overcome your own bad habit of laziness. * Analysis: Highlights the cultural emphasis on self-discipline. The obstacle is a personal flaw (`毛病`, máobìng). * **Example 4:** * 这个项目有很多技术难题，但我们一个一个都**克服**了。 * Pinyin: Zhège xiàngmù yǒu hěn duō jìshù nántí, dàn wǒmen yí ge yí ge dōu **kèfú** le. * English: This project had many technical problems, but we overcame them one by one. * Analysis: Shows `克服` used in a professional, problem-solving context. The phrase `一个一个` (yí ge yí ge) emphasizes the methodical effort. * **Example 5:** * 她**克服**了重重障碍，最终成为了一名出色的科学家。 * Pinyin: Tā **kèfú** le chóngchóng zhàng'ài, zuìzhōng chéngwéi le yī míng chūsè de kēxuéjiā. * English: She overcame numerous obstacles and eventually became an outstanding scientist. * Analysis: `重重障碍` (chóngchóng zhàng'ài) means "layers upon layers of obstacles," a more formal and literary way to say "many obstacles." This shows a long-term struggle. * **Example 6:** * 很多学生觉得汉字很难，你是怎么**克服**的？ * Pinyin: Hěn duō xuéshēng juéde hànzì hěn nán, nǐ shì zěnme **kèfú** de? * English: Many students find Chinese characters difficult, how did you overcome that? * Analysis: A great practical question you can ask someone. The `是...的` (shì...de) structure is used here to emphasize the "how" (怎么). * **Example 7:** * 只要我们团结一心，就没有**克服**不了的困难。 * Pinyin: Zhǐyào wǒmen tuánjié yīxīn, jiù méiyǒu **kèfú** bu liǎo de kùnnan. * English: As long as we are united, there are no difficulties that cannot be overcome. * Analysis: This sentence uses the potential complement `克服不了` (kèfú bu liǎo), meaning "cannot overcome." It's a very common inspirational structure. * **Example 8:** * 为了**克服**时差，他第一天没有睡觉。 * Pinyin: Wèile **kèfú** shíchā, tā dì yī tiān méiyǒu shuìjiào. * English: In order to overcome jet lag, he didn't sleep on the first day. * Analysis: A simple, everyday example. Jet lag (`时差`, shíchā) is seen as a physical challenge to be conquered. * **Example 9:** * 面对经济危机，公司需要**克服**资金短缺的问题。 * Pinyin: Miànduì jīngjì wēijī, gōngsī xūyào **kèfú** zījīn duǎnquē de wèntí. * English: Facing an economic crisis, the company needs to overcome the problem of capital shortage. * Analysis: This demonstrates `克服` in a formal business context, referring to a major external challenge. * **Example 10:** * **克服**坏习惯需要很强的意志力。 * Pinyin: **Kèfú** huài xíguàn xūyào hěn qiáng de yìzhìlì. * English: Overcoming a bad habit requires strong willpower. * Analysis: `克服` acts as the subject of the sentence here, which is common in Chinese. `意志力` (yìzhìlì) is willpower, the key ingredient for `克服`. ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== The most common mistake for learners is confusing `克服 (kèfú)` with `解决 (jiějué)`. * **`克服 (kèfú)` vs. `解决 (jiějué)` (to solve)** * **`克服`** focuses on the **struggle** and the **effort** required to surmount a difficulty, especially one that is personal, internal, or persistent. You overcome fear, weakness, hardship, or a challenge. * **`解决`** focuses on the **solution** or the **answer** to a problem. It's more transactional and less emotional. You solve a math problem, a puzzle, a dispute, or a logistical issue. * **Common Mistake Example:** * **Incorrect:** 我**克服**了这个数学题。 (Wǒ **kèfú** le zhège shùxué tí.) * **Reason:** A math problem (`数学题`) doesn't require emotional struggle or willpower in the same way a fear does. It just needs a correct answer. * **Correct:** 我**解决**了这个数学题。 (Wǒ **jiějué** le zhège shùxué tí.) - //I solved this math problem.// * **When to use `克服` for a problem:** You can `克服` a problem (`问题`), but only when it's a large, persistent difficulty, not a simple question. * **Correct:** 我们需要克服资金短缺的**问题**。 (Wǒmen xūyào kèfú zījīn duǎnquē de **wèntí**.) - //We need to overcome the **problem** of capital shortage.// Here, the "problem" is a major, ongoing difficulty. ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * [[解决]] (jiějué) - To solve (a problem). Focuses on the solution, not the personal struggle. * [[战胜]] (zhànshèng) - To defeat, to triumph over. A stronger, more "battle-like" synonym, often used for enemies, competitors, or diseases. * [[困难]] (kùnnan) - Difficulty, hardship. The most common noun that is overcome by `克服`. * [[挑战]] (tiǎozhàn) - Challenge. Another common obstacle to be overcome. * [[障碍]] (zhàng'ài) - Obstacle, barrier. A more formal word for something that stands in your way. * [[坚持]] (jiānchí) - To persist, to persevere. This is the action or quality needed to `克服` something. * [[奋斗]] (fèndòu) - To strive, to struggle. The broader process of working hard towards a goal, which often involves `克服`ing many difficulties. * [[吃苦]] (chī kǔ) - To endure hardship ("eat bitterness"). A cultural value that provides the philosophical backbone for `克服`. * [[毛病]] (máobìng) - Flaw, bad habit, shortcoming. A common type of personal issue that one tries to `克服`. * [[恐惧]] (kǒngjù) - Fear, dread. A classic internal feeling to be `克服`ed.