此起彼伏

cǐ qǐ bǐ fú

HSK 3.0 Level 7 Rare

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Definitions

1. up here, down there (idiom); to rise and fall in succession
2. no sooner one subsides, the next arises
3. repeating continuously
4. occurring again and again (of applause, fires, waves, protests, conflicts, uprisings etc)

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Word relationships

Related words

2 items

• 此消彼长 cǐ xiāo bǐ zhǎng 此消彼长 cǐ xiāo bǐ zhǎng (idiom) one declines while the other flourishes; one loses out when the other one gains (as in a trade-off or a zero-sum game) also describes a fluctuating alternation, often with a sense of waning and waxing: (idiom) one declines while the other flourishes; one loses out when the other one gains (as in a trade-off or a zero-sum game)
• 波澜起伏 bō lán qǐ fú 波澜起伏 bō lán qǐ fú one climax follows another (of thrilling story) describes wave-like ups and downs, often for emotions or plots: one climax follows another (of thrilling story)

Synonyms

1 item

• 接连不断 jiē lián bù duàn 接连不断 jiē lián bù duàn in unbroken succession (idiom) emphasizes continuous succession without interruption: in unbroken succession (idiom)

Usage notes

Common mistakes

此起彼伏 is used for events that happen in rapid alternation, not for a single object that physically rises and falls.

Example Sentences

1 shown

会场里掌声 此起彼伏 。

Applause broke out repeatedly in the hall.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Child Words of 此起彼伏

• 起 起 qǐ: (for groups or occurrences) instance, time
• 此 此 cǐ: this; these
• 伏 伏 fú: to lean over
• 彼 彼 bǐ: that