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翻
fān
to flip
他翻了一下书页。
He flipped a page of the book.
neutral
to turn over or upside down; to flip
请把纸翻过来。
Please turn the paper over.
他翻了个身继续睡觉。
He turned over and continued sleeping.
Commonly used for physical actions like flipping pages, turning objects, or changing positions.
formal
to translate (especially written texts); to interpret
这本书被翻成了多种语言。
This book has been translated into many languages.
Often used in academic or literary contexts.
informal
to search or rummage through; to go through
警察翻遍了整个房间。
The police searched through the entire room.
Implies thorough examination, often in a negative context (e.g., searching for evidence).
slang
to betray or double-cross
他翻脸不认人了。
He turned against people without hesitation.
Usually paired with 脸 (face) to mean 'turn against' or 'betray'.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Context is key
The meaning of '翻' changes drastically with context. For example, '翻译' (to translate) is formal, while '翻车' (to overturn) is literal or slang for failure. Always check the surrounding words.
Gold Rule
Physical vs. metaphorical
When '翻' refers to physical actions (e.g., flipping a page), it’s neutral. When it involves emotions or relationships (e.g., 翻脸), it’s negative.
Word Origin
From Old Chinese '反' (fǎn), meaning 'to return' or 'to overturn'. Evolved to include physical flipping and metaphorical betrayal over time.
Usage Notes
The verb '翻' is highly versatile and context-dependent. Pay attention to accompanying words (e.g., 翻车 vs. 翻译) to determine the exact meaning. In modern slang, '翻' often implies failure or betrayal when paired with other characters.
Word Breakdown
翻
to flip/overturn
root汉英词典