征服
zhēng fú · HSK 4
to conquer
⚔️ 征 = expedition + 服 = submit; military campaign forces submission
征 means to go on a military expedition (征兵 = draft soldiers), and 服 means to submit or yield (服从 = obey). Together: an expedition that makes the enemy yield — to conquer.
征 — 彳 (step) + 正 (upright/correct)
Originally written 征, this character combines 彳 'step/walk' with 正 'upright,' suggesting a righteous march or expedition. It first meant a military campaign or journey to subdue, then broadened to 'to go on a long trip' and figuratively 'to levy' (as in collecting taxes during campaigns).
服 — 月 (moon/flesh) + 𠬝 (kneeling figure with hand)
Originally depicted a hand subduing a kneeling person beside a boat (later simplified to 月), suggesting submission or service. The meaning extended from 'submit/serve' to 'clothing' (what one wears in service) and 'to take' as in medicine. The phonetic role of 𠬝 helps fix the reading fú.