About
The traditional character 還 is a phono-semantic compound. It pairs the movement radical 辶 with the phonetic component 睘, which combines an eye and a garment, evoking the idea of looking back while walking. This structure established its core meaning: to return or give back. The simplified form 还 streamlines the character by replacing the complex phonetic element with the simpler character 不, while retaining the movement radical 辶. Beyond the physical action of returning, the character also functions as an adverb meaning “still,” “yet,” or “even more,” indicating the continuation of a state or an intensification of a situation.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
我还没有吃饭。
天气还很冷。
我还想去北京。
他虽然病了，还来上班。
请还我这本书。
他归还了借的钱。
你为什么不还钱？
即使你道歉，我还不能原谅你，除非你还我东西。