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征服 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
征服zhēngfúto conquerHSK 7, v, rank #4348, Medium
征服zhēngfúto subdueHSK 7, v, rank #4348, Medium
征服zhēngfúto vanquishHSK 7, v, rank #4348, Medium
zhēngfú(zheng1fu2) T1
  1. 1to conquer
  2. 2to subdue
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March 24, 2026
征服zhēngfú(zheng1fu2)

The verb 征服 (zheng1 fu2) means to conquer or subdue something, often in the context of overcoming challenges, territories, or people. It is commonly used in both military contexts and metaphorically, such as conquering fears or achieving personal victories.

Frequency#4348DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

In Chinese history, the concept of conquest is often tied to the unification of territories under dynasties, such as the Qin dynasty's expansion. This has shaped national pride and the narrative of strength in Chinese culture.

Memory Tip

Imagine a brave warrior (征) standing tall, holding a flag of victory (服). The '征' part looks like a person marching forward, while '服' resembles a cloak that covers and subdues. Together, they tell the story of a warrior who conquers lands and wears his triumph like a cloak.

Meanings of 征服

zhēngfú(zheng1fu2)
1to conquer
2to subdue
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 征服

征服Simplified
Strokes
Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#4348Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1

Podcast: 征服

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Podcast: 征服

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AI Study Notes for 征服

Quick Contrast

征服 (conquer) vs 战胜 (defeat) — use 征服 for a broader sense of subjugation, while 战胜 specifically refers to overcoming an opponent in a competitive context.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a brave warrior (征) standing tall, holding a flag of victory (服). The '征' part looks like a person marching forward, while '服' resembles a cloak that covers and subdues. Together, they tell the story of a warrior who conquers lands and wears his triumph like a cloak.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 征服 with other similar verbs that imply persuasion or influence, such as 感动 (gǎn dòng). This word is more forceful and implies dominance. It's often used in both formal and informal contexts, but can carry a heavy connotation when discussing personal relationships.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 6 word, 征服 connects to themes of power and achievement, similar to other words like 胜利 (shèng lì - victory) or 统治 (tǒng zhì - to rule). Students should focus on using it in both literal and metaphorical contexts.

Cultural Note

In Chinese history, the concept of conquest is often tied to the unification of territories under dynasties, such as the Qin dynasty's expansion. This has shaped national pride and the narrative of strength in Chinese culture.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 征服 with the softer term 影响 (yǐng xiǎng - to influence), which suggests persuasion rather than dominance. For example, saying '我想影响我的朋友' (I want to conquer my friend) is incorrect; it should be '我想征服我的朋友', but this might also sound harsh.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 征服

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Component Characters

zhēngjourney
HSK 78 strokes
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clothes
HSK 68 strokes
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Write 征服

Practice writing 征服 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 征服

征服 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 3 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

面对遭____的悲惨命运,他们保持了乐观的态度。

They have maintained their optimism in the face of desolating subjugation.

Example Sentences for 征服 (10)

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1
面对遭征服的悲惨命运,他们保持了乐观的态度。

miàn duì zāo zhēng fú de bēi cǎn mìng yùn, , tā mén bǎo chí le lè guān de tài。

They have maintained their optimism in the face of desolating subjugation.
2
诺曼征服之后,这片森林成为了皇家狩猎区。

nuò màn zhēng fú zhī hòu, , zhè piàn sēn lín chéng wéi le huáng jiā shòu liè。

After the Norman Conquest the forest became a royal hunting preserve.
3
古罗马人征服英国的时候也带来了这个风俗。

gǔ luó mǎ rén zhēng fú yīng guó de shí hòu yě dài lái le zhè gè fēng sú。

When they conquered Britain, the Romans brought this custom with them.
4
他们担心极权主义者会征服整个世界。

tā mén dān xīn jí quán zhǔ yì zhě huì zhēng fú zhěng gè shì jiè。

They feared that totalitarians might yet conquer the entire world.
5
他们想找借口用武力征服这个地区。

tā mén xiǎng zhǎo jiè kǒu yòng wǔ lì zhēng fú zhè gè dì qū。

They wanted a pretext for subduing the region by force.
6
她勃发的热情和阳光的性格征服了我。

tā bó fā de rè qíng hé yáng guāng de xìng gé zhēng fú le wǒ。

Her burst of exuberance and her brightness overwhelmed me.
7
当时他正在大讲特讲自己在夜总会的征服史。

dāng shí tā zhèng zài dà jiǎng tè jiǎng zì jǐ zài yè zǒng huì de zhēng fú shǐ。

He was telling his tales of conquest in clubland.
8
征服者试著让当地人宣誓放弃他们的宗教.

zhēng fú zhě shì zhù ràng dāng dì rén xuān shì fàng qì tā mén de zōng jiào.

The conqueror tried to make the natives abjure their religion.
9
成吉思汗在世的时候征服了半个地球.

chéng jí sī hàn zài shì de shí hòu zhēng fú le bàn gè dì qiú.

Genghis Khan conquered half of the world in his lifetime.
10
再哨站和可征服空间站里的服务税现在可以被计算.

zài shào zhàn hé kě zhēng fú kōng jiān zhàn lǐ de fú wù shuì xiàn zài kě yǐ bèi jì suàn.

The cost modifiers in outposts and conquerable stations are now scaleable.

Cultural Notes for 征服

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese history, the concept of conquest is often tied to the unification of territories under dynasties, such as the Qin dynasty's expansion. This has shaped national pride and the narrative of strength in Chinese culture.

Frequently Asked Questions about 征服

Yes, it can also refer to overcoming personal challenges, like fears or addictions.