克星

剋星

kèxīng

noun #17,005

Meanings

1 nemesis; bane; natural enemy
2 something or someone fated to overcome another

Characters

to overcome; to conquer; to restrain

star; celestial body

Literally 'conquering star' — from Chinese astrology, a star that suppresses or counters another.

Examples

猫是老鼠的克星。

Māo shì lǎoshǔ de kèxīng.

Cats are the natural enemy of mice.

他简直是我的克星，每次都赢我。

Tā jiǎnzhí shì wǒ de kèxīng, měi cì dōu yíng wǒ.

He's practically my nemesis — he beats me every time.

大蒜被认为是吸血鬼的克星。

Dàsuàn bèi rènwéi shì xīxuèguǐ de kèxīng.

Garlic is considered to be the bane of vampires.

Tips

history

Rooted in the 五行 (wǔxíng, Five Elements) system: each element has one that overcomes it (water overcomes fire, etc.). A 克星 is the 'star' that counters you by fate.

Stroke Order

克 kè

星 xīng