‘征伐’ is a formal, literary verb meaning ‘to wage war’ or ‘to launch a military campaign’, typically against another state, tribe, or rebellious force. It combines two characters with closely related meanings: 征 (zhēng) means ‘to go on an expedition’ or ‘to levy troops’, while 伐 (fá) means ‘to attack’ or ‘to punish militarily’. Together, they emphasize the official, often justified nature of the military action—commonly used in historical, classical, or political discourse rather than everyday speech.

The term carries connotations of legitimacy and authority: rulers or dynasties ‘征伐’ to expand territory, suppress rebellion, or uphold moral order (e.g., ‘punishing the unjust’). It rarely describes modern warfare or guerrilla tactics, and never implies aggression without justification. You’ll find it frequently in historical texts, official proclamations, and scholarly discussions of ancient Chinese strategy and statecraft.