Meaning
反抗 means to actively resist or oppose authority, oppression, or unwanted control. It implies a conscious act of defiance or rebellion against something perceived as unjust or restrictive. The word combines 反 (against, anti-) with 抗 (resist, fight), creating a strong sense of opposition.
Usage
反抗 is commonly used in political, social, and personal contexts when describing resistance to authority or oppression. It's more formal than casual alternatives and often appears in historical or literary contexts. Native speakers use it to describe everything from teenage rebellion against parents to organized resistance movements.
Examples
- 01人民有权反抗不公正的统治。.The people have the right to resist unjust rule.
- 02青少年常常会反抗父母的管教。.Teenagers often rebel against their parents' discipline.
Characters
Common collocations
- 反抗精神spirit of resistance
- 反抗压迫resist oppression
- 反抗权威defy authority
- 武装反抗armed resistance
Antonyms
Origin
Both characters reinforce the meaning of opposition: 反 originally depicted a hand turning something over (reversal), while 抗 combines the hand radical with 亢 (high, excessive), suggesting pushing back against pressure.