砍伐 is a compound verb meaning 'to cut down (trees)'—most commonly used in the context of logging, forest clearing, or deforestation. The first character, 砍 (kǎn), means 'to chop' or 'to hack', often with an axe or machete; the second, 伐 (fá), historically meant 'to attack' or 'to subdue', but in modern usage it strongly connotes 'cutting down trees' (as in 伐木, fámù, 'timber harvesting'). Together, they form a formal, slightly literary term emphasizing deliberate, large-scale removal of trees—not casual pruning or trimming.

This word appears frequently in environmental discussions, government policies, news reports, and ecological studies. It carries a neutral-to-negative connotation depending on context: while sustainable 砍伐 may be permitted under regulation, uncontrolled or illegal 砍伐 is widely criticized for causing habitat loss and climate impact. It is rarely used for cutting non-woody plants or shrubs—those would typically use verbs like 剪 (jiǎn) or 拔 (bá).