Definition
翻本 is a separable verb (离合词) used almost exclusively in gambling contexts. It means to win back the money you lost — to 'get even' or 'recoup your losses.' As a separable verb, you can insert time or frequency markers between 翻 and 本, for example: 翻了一次本 ('had one round of recouping'). The subject is usually the person who lost money. In everyday Chinese, it's most natural in gambling or betting scenarios.
v.o.
to recoup one's gambling lossesto win back lost money
Examples
- 翻本，。Tā shū le qián jiù xiǎng fān běn, jiéguǒ yuè shū yuè duō.He tried to win back his money after losing, but ended up losing even more.
- ，。Tā zhè cì fān le yí cì běn, zhōngyú bǎ zhīqián shū de dōu yíng huí lái le.This time he recouped his losses and finally won back everything he had lost before.
- ，翻本。Dǎ májiàng lǎoshì shū, tā zài yě bù zhǐwang néng fān běn le.He keeps losing at mahjong and no longer hopes to win it back.
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