回 (huí) - to return & to go back
回 · huí
to return;
to go back;
to reply;
to answer;
to turn around;
a time, occasion;
chapter (in a novel);
Muslim;
Hui ethnic group
to returnto go backto reply
Usage highlights
to return hometo replyto look backto recoverto recycleto go back
Usage & contexts
Examples
- I will return home tomorrow (回家).
- Please reply to my message (回复).
- He has been to Beijing many times (多次回北京).
- This novel has one hundred chapters (一百回).
Collocations
- to return home(回家)
- to reply(回复)
- to look back(回顾)
- to recover(恢复)
- to recycle(回收)
- to go back(回去)
Idioms
- To return to the starting point(周而复始)
- To go round and begin again(循环往复)
- To turn over a new leaf(改过自新)
- To come back in triumph(凯旋而归)
- To go back on one's word(出尔反尔)
Cultural background
FAQ- One of the earliest Chinese characters, its oracle bone script form depicts a swirling pattern, symbolizing cycles and returns.
- Used as a measure word for chapters in traditional Chinese novels, indicating a complete narrative cycle.
- Refers to the Hui ethnic group, one of China's 56 officially recognized ethnic groups, predominantly Muslim.