回來 / 回来
huílai
The English phrase "come back" is translated into Chinese as 回來 / 回来 (huílai). Wiktionary also lists 返回 (fǎnhuí).
Meaning: (''intransitive'') To return to a place (verb)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 回來 / 回来 | huílai |
| 返回 | fǎnhuí |
The verb means to return to a place.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 回來 is a directional complement construction where 回 means "to return" and 來 means "to come" (towards the speaker).
Which one should you use?
Use 回來 (huílai) when the person returning is moving toward the speaker's current location, whereas 回去 (huíqu) is used when they are moving away from the speaker toward a different location.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Cantonese, 返嚟 (faan1 lei4) is used to mean "come back".
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding the particle 了 to 回來 results in 回來了, which indicates that the action of returning has been completed or that the person has already arrived.
How do you pronounce it?
huílai
Did you know?
- While 回來 means 'come back', the word 回 is also used as a measure word for times or occurrences. For example, 回一次 means 'one time'.
- Chinese speakers may use 回來 in a metaphorical sense to describe a person 'coming back to their senses' or regaining consciousness after fainting.
- In Cantonese, the word 返 (faan1) in 返嚟 is often used for returning to a place of duty, such as going 'back' to work or school, even if the person is leaving home.
Examples in context
- 他刚从中国回来了，感觉如此亲切。He just came back from China, and it feels so familiar.
- 你什么时候回来啊？我好想你！When will you come back? I miss you so much!
- 他微笑着回来了。He came back with a smile.
- 她张开双臂热情地欢迎他回来。She welcomed him back with open arms.
- 他什麼時候回來？Tā shénme shíhou huílai?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “come back” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
