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March 24, 2026
覆fù(fu4)
The character 覆 (fù) primarily means 'to cover' or 'to overturn.' It is used in various contexts, such as describing something being covered up or an event where something is overturned or capsized. The character can also imply repetition or replying, often used in formal contexts.
Strokes18Radical覀Frequency#8654DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of covering or overturning can relate to traditional practices such as covering food with cloth for preservation or the symbolic overturning of fortunes during festivals.
Memory Tip
Imagine a large lid (the radical 見, meaning 'to see') covering a pot (the character's form), which represents how something is covered. Picture the lid flipping over and spilling its contents everywhere, linking to the meanings of 'overturn' and 'overflow.'
Meanings of 覆
fù(fu4)
1to cover
2to overflow
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 覆
覆Simplified
18Strokes
覀Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#8654Frequency Rank
Podcast: 覆
Podcast: 覆
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AI Study Notes for 覆
Quick Contrast
翻 (fān) — use 覆 (fù) when emphasizing covering or overturning something, while 翻 (fān) focuses more on the act of flipping or turning over.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a large lid (the radical 見, meaning 'to see') covering a pot (the character's form), which represents how something is covered. Picture the lid flipping over and spilling its contents everywhere, linking to the meanings of 'overturn' and 'overflow.'
Usage Notes
Be cautious with the tone, as it is a fourth tone which can blend into other tones in rapid speech. It is often used in both formal and informal contexts, but collocations like 覆盖 (fùgài, 'to cover') are more formal. Avoid using it in casual conversations unless appropriate.
HSK Study Tips
Although 覆 is not an HSK level word, it connects with words like 盖 (gài, 'to cover') and 返回 (fǎnhuí, 'to return'). Focus on understanding its various usages and how it appears in phrases related to covering and overturning.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of covering or overturning can relate to traditional practices such as covering food with cloth for preservation or the symbolic overturning of fortunes during festivals.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 覆 with 盖 (gài), thinking they are interchangeable, but while both mean 'to cover,' 覆 has additional meanings like 'to overturn.' For example, saying 覆盖 (fùgài) as a direct substitute for 盖 (gài) can lead to misunderstanding.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 覆
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Grammar Patterns of 覆
覆 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 5 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
他们最近真是让人气不打一处来，闹得天翻地____，搅得每个人都不得安宁。
They've really been kicking ass lately — busting places up, harassing everybody.
Example Sentences for 覆 (10)
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1
他们最近真是让人气不打一处来，闹得天翻地覆，搅得每个人都不得安宁。
tā mén zuì jìn zhēn shì ràng rén qì bù dǎ yī chǔ lái， ， nào dé tiān fān dì， fù ， jiǎo dé měi gè rén dū bù dé。
They've really been kicking ass lately — busting places up, harassing everybody.
2
我们看到他们所有人都为那场运动的覆灭而洋洋自得。
wǒ mén kàn dào tā mén suǒ yǒu rén dū wéi nà cháng yùn dòng de fù miè ér yáng yáng zì dé。
We've seen them all crowing that the movement is dead.
3
尼安德特人能够捕杀浑身覆毛的猛犸象和熊。
ní ān dé tè rén néng gòu bǔ shā hún shēn fù máo de měng mǎ xiàng hé xióng。
Neanderthal man was able to kill woolly mammoths and bears.
4
他们的船在暴风雨中倾覆后有48人溺亡。
tā mén de chuán zài bào fēng yǔ zhōng qīng fù hòu yǒu48 48 rén nì。
Forty-eight people have drowned after their boat capsized during a storm.
5
油轮外部金属板覆层破裂的那一瞬间，油开始外溢。
yóu lún wài bù jīn shǔ bǎn fù céng pò liè de nà yī shùn jiān， ， yóu kāi shǐ wài。
The tanker began spilling oil the moment her outer plating ruptured.
6
那件事真把他们搅得天翻地覆，男孩子们尤受其害。
nà jiàn shì zhēn bǎ tā mén jiǎo dé tiān fān dì fù， ， nán hái zǐ mén yóu shòu qí。
That really messed them up, especially the boys.
7
这次出行是为了能驶入冰雪覆盖的峡湾。
zhè cì chū háng shì wéi le néng shǐ rù bīng xuě fù gài de xiá wān。
The purpose of the visit was to navigate into an ice-filled fiord.
8
原来的柏油操场已经覆上了草皮或种满了鲜花。
yuán lái de bǎi yóu cāo cháng yǐ jīng fù shàng le cǎo pí huò zhǒng mǎn le xiān huā。
The asphalt playgrounds have been grassed over or sown with flowers.
9
覆上保鲜膜，冷藏24小时。
fù shàng bǎo xiān mó， ， lěng24 cáng 24。
Cover with plastic film and refrigerate for 24 hours.
10
灵柩上覆盖着英国国旗。
líng jiù shàng fù gài zháo yīng guó guó qí。
The coffin had been draped in a Union Jack.
Cultural Notes for 覆
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of covering or overturning can relate to traditional practices such as covering food with cloth for preservation or the symbolic overturning of fortunes during festivals.
Word Family of 覆
Words Containing This Character20
覆盖fùgàito cover覆蓋
覆fùto cover
颠覆diānfùto capsize顛覆
重蹈覆辙to repeat a disastrous policy重蹈覆轍
天翻地覆everything turned on its head
翻天覆地fāntiānfùdìeverything turned on its head
覆盖率coverage覆蓋率
覆盖面coverage覆蓋面
翻来覆去fānláifùqùagain and again翻來覆去
全军覆没total defeat of an army (idiom); fig. a complete wipeout全軍覆沒
翻云覆雨to make love翻雲覆雨
覆辙disastrous policy覆轍
覆灭destruction覆滅
倾覆to capsize傾覆
覆水难收it's no use crying over spilt milk覆水難收
覆盆子raspberry
翻覆to capsize
覆亡fall (of an empire)
覆巢之下无完卵lit. when the nest is upset no egg is left intact (idiom)覆巢之下無完卵
载舟覆舟to carry a boat or to overturn a boat (idiom); fig. The people can support a regime or overturn it.載舟覆舟
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 覆盖 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 覆
Common phrases include 覆盖 (fùgài), which means 'to cover' and 覆盆之鱼 (fù pén zhī yú) meaning 'to overturn the pot and fish,' used to describe a difficult situation.
No, 覆 also indicates 'to overturn' or 'to capsize,' so context is important to determine its specific meaning.
Yes, but it is more commonly used in formal contexts or written language.
