(huí) - to flow back, to eddy & to swirl in a circular motion (of water)

Tone 2

huí | 9 strokes | radical:

· huí

to flow back, to eddy;

to swirl in a circular motion (of water);

to go against the current.

to flow back, to eddyto swirl in a circular motion (of water)to go against the current.

Usage highlights

to flow backto go upstreamwhirlpooleddying currentwinding waterto linger

Synonyms

  • to whirl, to eddy
  • whirlpool, vortex

Antonyms

  • to follow, to go with the flow
  • to flow (downstream)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The river eddies (洄流) around the bend.
  • Salmon swim upstream (溯洄) to spawn.
  • The boat circled in the whirlpool (洄漩).

Collocations

  • to flow back(洄流)
  • to go upstream(溯洄)
  • whirlpool(洄漩)
  • eddying current(洄澜)
  • winding water(洄水)
  • to linger(洄游)

Idioms

  • To go against the current(溯洄从之)
  • Eddying waves(洄波)
  • Circling and winding(洄洑)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Often used in classical Chinese poetry to describe the natural movement of water, evoking themes of persistence or returning to origins.
  • The character appears in the idiom '溯洄从之' from the 'Classic of Poetry', describing a difficult upstream journey, symbolizing perseverance.

FAQ