克服

Use it with a noun that represents a problem. You can 克服困难 (overcome difficulties). You can also 克服缺点 (overcome a weakness). It usually follows the pattern: Subject + 克服 + Problem. It sounds proactive. It shows you have a strong will. You can use it for big life goals. You can also use it for small daily struggles. Like not eating that extra slice of pizza.

Use it in professional settings to show grit. It works great in performance reviews. Use it with friends when talking about personal growth. It's perfect for fitness journeys. Use it when you finally learn a tricky grammar point. It’s a very positive, 'can-do' kind of word. It makes you sound like a hero in your own story.

Don't use it for people. You don't 'overcome' a person. That sounds like a wrestling match. Use 战胜 for defeating opponents. Don't use it for physical objects in your way. If a chair is in the way, just move it. 克服 is for abstract hurdles. Don't use it for simple tasks. 'Overcoming' a glass of water sounds a bit dramatic, doesn't it?

Chinese culture deeply values 'eating bitterness' or 吃苦. 克服 is the successful result of that endurance. It’s rooted in the idea of self-improvement. Historically, it was used in very formal, revolutionary contexts. Today, it’s a staple of self-help and corporate motivation. It reflects the societal drive to always move upward. It’s about the triumph of the human spirit over circumstance.

克服一下 is a very common spoken phrase. It means 'just bear with it for a moment.' You might hear this if a hotel room is small. Or if the air conditioning is broken. It’s a polite way to ask someone to endure a minor inconvenience. Another variation is 不可克服, meaning 'insurmountable.' Hopefully, you won't have to use that one too often!