回

迴/逥
huí
口 + 囗
HSK 2.0Level 1
HSK 3.0Level 1

Definitions

huí (verb) to return; to go back
huí (verb) to turn around; to revolve
huí (verb) to answer; to respond
huí (noun) time; instance

Etymology

Depicts water rotating around in a circle.

About

The character 回 (huí) is an ideogram formed by a smaller square 囗 inside a larger one 囗, depicting water rotating in a circle like a whirlpool. This cyclical structure originally represented swirling motion, and from that imagery the meaning shifted to revolve, turn around, or return to a starting point. Over time, it further extended to replying, turning back time, and acting as a measure word for occurrences or chapters.

Example Sentences Hide

妈妈回来了。

Māma huí lái le.

Mom has come back.

我明天回上海。

Wǒ míngtiān huí Shànghǎi.

I will return to Shanghai tomorrow.

她回电话了。

Tā huí diànhuà le.

She returned the phone call.

请回答我的问题。

Qǐng huídá wǒ de wèntí.

Please answer my question.

他回家后吃了饭。

Tā huí jiā hòu chī le fàn.

After he returned home, he ate.

我回宿舍拿书。

Wǒ huí sùshè ná shū.

I went back to the dorm to get the book.

他回忆起童年时光。

Tā huíyì qǐ tóngnián shíguāng.

He recalled his childhood times.

如果你回信，我会很高兴。

Rúguǒ nǐ huí xìn, wǒ huì hěn gāoxìng.

If you reply to the letter, I will be very happy.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

徊 啬 蛔 洄 茴 迴 靣 穯 㐭 佪 啚 嗇 廻 恛

Component: 口

中 和 可 后 如 同 只 知 高 问 向 或 加 合

Component: 囗

国 因 四 团 图 围 困 固 园 圆 圈 囚 粤 圃

Example Words

回来 回到 回家 回忆 来回 回事 回去 回合 回味 回国 回报 回复 回想 回应 回归 回眸 回答 回老家 回访 回赠 回头 回顾 回馈 回首