Meaning:

to chop, to cut down

Origin:

本义是“砍头”，后来引申为“征伐”，字形是一把“戈”（古代的武器名）正砍在一个人颈上的样子。

The original meaning of this character is “to behead.” Later, the definition expanded to mean, “to go on a punitive expedition.” The character looks like a dagger-axe, a kind of ancient weapon, as it cuts off a man’s head.

Words:

武王伐纣 (WǔWángFáZhòu): the crusade against King Zhou of the Shang kingdom by King Wu of the Zhou kingdom

讨伐 (tǎofá): to send armed forces to suppress

砍伐 (kǎnfá): to fell (trees)

伐木 (fámù): woodcutting

Examples:

1. 将军率领政府军讨伐叛军。

    Jiāngjūn shuàilǐng zhèngfǔjūn tǎofá pànjūn

    The general led the government troops against the rebels.

2. 人们应该停止砍伐过多的树木。

    Rénmen yīnggāi tíngzhǐ kǎnfá guòduō de shùmù

    People should stop cutting down too many trees.