復 (fù) - To return & to restore

復Tone 4

fù ｜ 12 strokes ｜ radical:

枫惠

復 · fù

To return;

to restore;

to recover;

to repeat;

to reply;

to retaliate;

again.

To returnto restoreto recover

Usage highlights

To recoverTo reviewTo replyTo restoreTo repeatTo retaliate

Synonyms

  • 回— to return
  • 返— to go back
  • 恢— to restore

Antonyms

  • 往— to go forward
  • 進— to advance
  • 失— to lose

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He will return tomorrow (他明天復歸).
  • The patient is recovering (病人正在復原).
  • Please reply to my message (請復我的信息).
  • We need to review the lesson (我們需要復習功課).

Collocations

  • To recover(復原)
  • To review(復習)
  • To reply(答復)
  • To restore(恢復)
  • To repeat(重復)
  • To retaliate(報復)

Idioms

  • To return to square one(周而復始)
  • The old order is restored(復辟)
  • To recover one's original simplicity(返璞歸真)
  • To repeat the same mistake(重蹈覆轍)
  • To take revenge(復仇雪恨)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Confucian thought, 復 represents the cyclical nature of the cosmos and the return to fundamental principles.
  • The character appears in the Yijing (Book of Changes) as the 24th hexagram 復 (Return), symbolizing renewal and the turning point after darkness.
  • In traditional medicine, 復 relates to recovery and restoration of health balance.

FAQ