About
The character 归, meaning "to return" or "to belong to", originates from the traditional form 歸, a composite character whose earliest discernible structure combined elements suggesting movement and a domestic implement. This traditional form is composed of 止, representing a foot or movement, and 帚, a broom, conceptually painting a picture of returning to one's household duties or home. Over its long history, the character's core semantic field of physical return broadened significantly to encompass more abstract notions such as belonging, reverting to a source, or yielding a result. The evolution of its written form saw a gradual simplification of these components, ultimately resulting in the modern 归, which retains the directional aspect of the original while streamlining its composition for practical use, yet its fundamental conceptual link to the idea of coming back has remained consistent.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
我把书归还了。
他明天从国外归来。
这些财产归属国家。
错误归结于疏忽。
胜利归功于大家。
请把资料归类放好。
在归途上我们唱歌。
这项任务归你完成。