克服 (kèfú)

克服 means to overcome or conquer a difficulty, fear, or obstacle through effort and determination.

Meanings

[verb] to overcome, conquer, or surmount a challenge, difficulty, or obstacle

Example Sentences

他克服了对公开演讲的恐惧。 Tā kèfú le duì gōngkāi yǎnjiǎng de kǒngjù. He overcame his fear of public speaking.

成功需要克服许多困难和挑战。 Chénggōng xūyào kèfú xǔduō kùnnán hé tiǎozhàn. Success requires overcoming many difficulties and challenges.

她凭着坚强的意志克服了重病。 Tā píng zhe jiānqiáng de yìzhì kèfú le zhòngbìng. She overcame a serious illness through sheer determination.

我们必须克服语言障碍才能更好地沟通。 Wǒmen bìxū kèfú yǔyán zhàng'ài cái néng gèng hǎo de gōutōng. We must overcome the language barrier to communicate better.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
克服困难	overcome difficulties
克服障碍	overcome obstacles
克服恐惧	overcome fear
努力克服	strive to overcome

Usage Notes

克服 always takes an object that represents a challenge, fear, or difficulty. It cannot be used without one. Common objects include 困难 (difficulties), 恐惧 (fear), 障碍 (obstacles), and 缺点 (shortcomings). The word carries a sense of triumph through personal effort.

Memory Hook

克 means "to conquer" and 服 means "to submit," so 克服 is to conquer something until it submits, to overcome it completely.