unknown, 10 strokes, radical 亻, rank #24986, Very Hard
fǔ(fu3) T3
1to bow down, to face down, to look down
2to stoop
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March 24, 2026
俯(俛)fǔ(fu3)
The character 俯 (fǔ) means to bow down, to face down, or to look down. It is often used in contexts where someone is physically lowering themselves, either in a literal sense (like bending down) or metaphorically (such as showing humility or respect). It can also imply a downward gaze, as in observing something from a higher position.
Strokes10Radical亻Frequency#24986DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, bowing is a sign of respect and humility, which 俯 encapsulates. The act of bowing down is often associated with showing deference to elders or authority figures, reflecting Confucian values.
Memory Tip
Imagine a bird (the radical 亻, representing a person) bowing down to drink water from a river below. The shape of 俯 resembles a person leaning forward, emphasizing the action of looking down. The sound 'fǔ' can be remembered by thinking of 'foolish' when one bows down too much.
Meanings of 俯
fǔ(fu3)
1to bow down, to face down, to look down
2to stoop
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 俯
俯Simplified
俛Traditional
10Strokes
亻Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#24986Frequency Rank
Podcast: 俯
Podcast: 俯
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AI Study Notes for 俯
Quick Contrast
俯 (fǔ) vs 低 (dī) — use 俯 when emphasizing the action of bending down or looking down, whereas 低 refers more generally to a lower position or height.
Usage Notes
Be careful with the tone; fǔ (俯) is pronounced with a falling tone, which distinguishes it from other similar-sounding words. It's more commonly used in literary or formal contexts rather than in everyday conversation. Typical collocations might include phrases about humility or physical actions of lowering oneself.
HSK Study Tips
While 俯 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects with other verbs of movement and attitude at higher levels. Students should focus on the contexts in which this verb is used, particularly in literary works or formal speeches, to grasp its nuance.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 俯 (fǔ) with 伏 (fú), leading to incorrect usage in sentences. For example, saying '我俯在地上' (I stooped down) when '我伏在地上' would be the correct phrase for lying down.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 俯
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Phonosemantic compound. 亻 represents the meaning and 府 represents the sound. Simplified form of 俛.
1The meaning half亻 carries the sense.
2The sound half府 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawayperson
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 俯? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 俯?
Decomposition of 俯
IDS Structure⿰亻府
俯Full Character
=
亻ren2
left
府fu3
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 俯?
How to say to bow down, to face down, to look down in Chinese
“to bow down, to face down, to look down” in Chinese is俯fǔ
The character 俯 (fǔ) means to bow down, to face down, or to look down. It is often used in contexts where someone is physically lowering themselves, either in a literal sense (like bending down) or metaphorically (such as showing humility or respect). It can also imply a downward gaze, as in observing something from a higher position.
When to use 俯
Be careful with the tone; fǔ (俯) is pronounced with a falling tone, which distinguishes it from other similar-sounding words. It's more commonly used in literary or formal contexts rather than in everyday conversation. Typical collocations might include phrases about humility or physical actions of lowering oneself.
俯 or something close to it
俯 (fǔ) vs 低 (dī) — use 俯 when emphasizing the action of bending down or looking down, whereas 低 refers more generally to a lower position or height.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 俯 (fǔ) with 伏 (fú), leading to incorrect usage in sentences. For example, saying '我俯在地上' (I stooped down) when '我伏在地上' would be the correct phrase for lying down.
Write 俯
俯
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Practice writing 俯 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 俯
俯 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
还有其他的房子能像这幢一样____瞰首都吗？
What other home offers such a commanding view of the capital?
Example Sentences for 俯 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
还有其他的房子能像这幢一样俯瞰首都吗？
huán yǒu qí tā de fáng zǐ néng xiàng zhè chuáng yī yàng fǔ kàn shǒu dū ma？
What other home offers such a commanding view of the capital?
