The Chinese word 海龟 (hǎiguī) is a compound formed by combining the character 海 (hǎi), meaning "sea" or "ocean", with 龟 (guī), meaning "turtle". Literally, it translates to "sea turtle". However, it is also a modern homophonic pun and metaphor; it sounds identical to 海归 (hǎiguī), a shortened form of 海外归来 (hǎiwài guīlái), meaning "to return from overseas". Thus, 海龟 is cleverly used as a slang term to describe Chinese students or professionals who have studied or worked abroad and have now returned to China, comparing their journey across the ocean and back to that of a sea turtle.