teoi1 faan1推翻
Jyutpingteoi1 faan1
Yaletēui fāan
Definition
To overthrow, overturn, or topple; to invalidate or refuse to recognize as valid.
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How it's used
Used primarily in formal or legal contexts, this term carries a sense of finality and authoritative reversal. While it can apply to physical objects, it is most frequently encountered when discussing abstract concepts like policies, legal rulings, or political regimes. It implies a deliberate act of invalidating something that was previously established.
Examples
They want to overturn this decision.
Has the judge overturned the previous verdict yet?
Related words
Common phrases
to overthrow a government
to overturn a verdict
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use this for physically knocking something over, like a cup or a chair, where 踢跌 or 撞跌 would be the natural choices. It is strictly reserved for abstract or institutional overturning.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
