制服

zhìfú

noun HSK 7 #2,672

Measure Word

一套制服 tào

Meanings

1 uniform
2 to subdue; to overpower

Characters

system; to make; to control

clothes; to submit

As a noun: 'regulated clothes' (uniform). As a verb: 'to make someone submit' (to subdue).

Examples

学生必须穿制服上学。

Xuéshēng bìxū chuān zhìfú shàngxué.

Students must wear uniforms to school.

警察制服了嫌疑人。

Jǐngchá zhìfú le xiányírén.

The police subdued the suspect.

Tips

usage

制服 as noun and verb have the same pronunciation but very different uses. Context makes it clear: 穿制服 = wearing a uniform; 制服歹徒 = subduing a thug.

Stroke Order

制 zhì

服 fú