攻伐

gōngfá

verb

Meanings

1 to attack
2 to wage war on
3 to raid
4 (of medicine) potent / aggressive in action

Characters

to cut down; to make war

Examples

战国时期诸侯互相攻伐。

Zhànguó shíqī zhūhóu hùxiāng gōngfá.

During the Warring States period, the feudal lords made war on one another.

这味药攻伐力强，体虚者慎用。

Zhè wèi yào gōngfá lì qiáng, tǐ xū zhě shèn yòng.

This medicine is potent — those with weak constitutions should use it with caution.

Tips

register

Classical/literary in military sense — common in historical narrative. The medical sense (aggressive herbs that 'attack' pathogens) is specific to Traditional Chinese Medicine, contrasted with 补 (bǔ, tonifying) treatments.

Stroke Order

攻 gōng

伐 fá