还

還

huán, hái

不 + 辶

HSK 3.0Level 1

Definitions

hái (adverb) still; yet; also; even

huán (verb) to give back; to pay back; to return

Etymology

Simplified form of 還. 辶 represents the meaning. 不 replaces the traditional phonetic component 睘.

About

还 is the simplified form of 還, retaining the movement radical 辶 and replacing the traditional phonetic component 睘 with 不. In the traditional character, 睘 (an eye above a garment) suggests looking back, establishing the original meanings of returning, going back, or giving back. Beyond physical return, 还 also functions as an adverb meaning still, yet, or even more, indicating a continuing state or an addition to an existing situation.

Etymology Hide

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我还没有吃饭。

Wǒ hái méiyǒu chīfàn.

I haven't eaten yet.

天气还很冷。

Tiānqì hái hěn lěng.

The weather is still very cold.

我还想去北京。

Wǒ hái xiǎng qù Běijīng.

I also want to go to Beijing.

他虽然病了，还来上班。

Tā suīrán bìngle, hái lái shàngbān.

Although he is sick, he still comes to work.

请还我这本书。

Qǐng huán wǒ zhè běn shū.

Please return this book to me.

他归还了借的钱。

Tā guīhuánle jiè de qián.

He returned the borrowed money.

你为什么不还钱？

Nǐ wèishéme bù huán qián?

Why don't you return the money?

即使你道歉，我还不能原谅你，除非你还我东西。

Jíshǐ nǐ dàoqiàn, wǒ hái bùnéng yuánliàng nǐ, chúfēi nǐ huán wǒ dōngxi.

Even if you apologize, I still cannot forgive you unless you return my things.

Related Characters

Component: 不

Component: 辶

还