克服 (kè fú) is a transitive verb meaning 'to overcome' or 'to conquer'—typically something difficult, challenging, or internal, such as fear, habit, weakness, or obstacle. The character 克 originally means 'to subdue' or 'to defeat', and 服 means 'to submit' or 'to obey'; together, they convey the idea of gaining mastery over something resistant or adverse. It implies sustained effort and determination rather than a quick fix.

This word is commonly used in contexts involving personal growth, professional challenges, health recovery, or psychological barriers. It often appears with abstract nouns like 困难 (difficulty), 恐惧 (fear), 习惯 (habit), or 缺点 (shortcoming). While it can describe physical obstacles, its strongest usage is for intangible, inner struggles—making it especially frequent in motivational, educational, and therapeutic discourse.