歸 (guī) - To return & to go back

歸Tone 1

guī ｜ 18 strokes ｜ radical:

枫惠

歸 · guī

To return;

to go back;

to revert;

to belong to;

to be attributed to;

to submit;

to give back.

To returnto go backto revert

Usage highlights

Return homeAttributionGive credit toSummaryReturn journeyRepatriation

Synonyms

  • 回— to return
  • 返— to go back
  • 还— to give back

Antonyms

  • 离— to leave
  • 去— to go away
  • 出— to go out

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He will return home tomorrow (归家).
  • This book belongs to the library (归图书馆所有).
  • All credit goes to the team (归功于团队).
  • The property will revert to the state (归国家).

Collocations

  • Return home(归家)
  • Attribution(归属)
  • Give credit to(归功于)
  • Summary(归纳)
  • Return journey(归程)
  • Repatriation(归国)

Idioms

  • To return to one's roots(叶落归根)
  • To return home in fine robes(衣锦还归)
  • To return something to its rightful owner(完璧归赵)
  • All roads lead to the same destination(殊途同归)
  • To return with empty hands(空手而归)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Strongly associated with Confucian values of filial piety and returning to one's ancestral home.
  • Represents the cyclical nature of life and the importance of origins in Chinese philosophy.
  • Frequently appears in classical poetry expressing homesickness and nostalgia.

FAQ