翻身 (fānshēn) means 'to turn over' or 'to flip', often used in the context of physically turning one's body or changing a situation. It can imply a literal action, such as flipping in bed, or a metaphorical one, like turning one's fortunes around.
HSK 7, 16 strokes, Hard
fānshēn(fan1shen1) T1
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May 27, 2026
翻身fānshēn(fan1shen1)
翻身 (fānshēn) means 'to turn over' or 'to flip', often used in the context of physically turning one's body or changing a situation. It can imply a literal action, such as flipping in bed, or a metaphorical one, like turning one's fortunes around.
Strokes16Frequency#—DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, '翻身' can symbolize overcoming adversity, akin to the phrase '翻身农奴把歌唱', which refers to the liberation of the oppressed, reflecting broader historical themes of social change.
Memory Tip
Imagine a gymnast performing a perfect flip in the air, shouting 'fānshēn' as they turn over. The character '翻' resembles a person flipping, while '身' suggests the body, making it easier to remember the action of turning over the body.
About 翻身
翻身Simplified
16Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 翻身
Podcast: 翻身
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AI Study Notes for 翻身
Quick Contrast
翻转 (fānzhuǎn) - use 翻身 for actions involving a body or personal change, while 翻转 is more about flipping objects or positions.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a gymnast performing a perfect flip in the air, shouting 'fānshēn' as they turn over. The character '翻' resembles a person flipping, while '身' suggests the body, making it easier to remember the action of turning over the body.
Usage Notes
This verb is commonly used in both literal and figurative contexts. Be careful not to confuse it with similar-sounding words; the tone of '翻' is the first tone, while '身' is the first tone as well, so clarity in pronunciation is key.
HSK Study Tips
At HSK Level 7, students should focus on using '翻身' in both physical and metaphorical contexts. It connects well with terms related to change and movement, enhancing your ability to discuss transitions in various situations.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, '翻身' can symbolize overcoming adversity, akin to the phrase '翻身农奴把歌唱', which refers to the liberation of the oppressed, reflecting broader historical themes of social change.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use '翻身' incorrectly in contexts where '改变' (gǎibiàn, to change) would be more appropriate. For example, saying '翻身' to describe changing jobs is misleading; instead, use '改变工作'.
AI-enhanced 2026-05-27
Pronunciation of 翻身
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Cultural Notes for 翻身
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, '翻身' can symbolize overcoming adversity, akin to the phrase '翻身农奴把歌唱', which refers to the liberation of the oppressed, reflecting broader historical themes of social change.
Frequently Asked Questions about 翻身
You can use 翻身 when talking about rolling over in bed or discussing a significant change in someone's life situation.
Yes, it is often used to describe a turnaround in one's fortunes or circumstances.
Make sure to use the first tone for both '翻' and '身' to avoid confusion with other words.
