Definition
翻船 is a separable verb (离合词) that literally means 'to capsize' or 'to be shipwrecked'. Metaphorically, it is often used to mean 'to fail' or 'to suffer a major setback', especially in business or projects. As a separable verb, the object 船 can split from 翻 when adding aspect markers or measure words, for example 翻了一次船 ('failed once') or 翻不了船 ('won't fail').
v.o.
(of a boat) to capsizeto be shipwreckedto failto suffer a setback (used metaphorically)
Examples
- 翻船。Nà sōu chuán zài bàofēngyǔ zhōng fān chuán le.That ship capsized in the storm.
- 翻船。Zhège chuàngyè xiàngmù zuìzhōng fān chuán le.This startup project ultimately failed.
- ，。Tā zuò shēngyi fān le yí cì chuán, hòulái jiù jǐnshèn le.He failed once in business and has been cautious since.
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