Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 返回 | fǎnhuí |
| 回來 / 回来 | huílai |
| 回去 | huíqu |
| 歸 / 归 | guī |
The verb for 'return' varies significantly based on the direction of movement and what is being returned. While most forms describe people or locations moving back to a place, the term 歸還 is specifically used for the act of returning physical objects or property to their owner.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 返回 is composed of the characters 返 (to return/revert) and 回 (to return/circle), literally meaning 'to reverse/turn and return'.
Which one should you use?
The choice of word depends on direction and formality. Use 回來 when the person returning is moving toward the speaker's current location, and use 回去 when the person is moving away from the speaker's current location. 返回 is more formal and is often used in written contexts, such as 'returning to a country' or 'returning to a starting point' in software or navigation.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
fǎnhuí
Did you know?
- The character 歸 was originally an ideogram depicting troops and a broom, symbolizing the act of eradicating an enemy before returning home.
- The character 回 is also used as a measure word for times or occurrences, such as 'I have been there three times'.
- In certain contexts, 回去 can be used to tell someone to 'go away' or 'go back where you came from' as a sharp dismissal.
Examples in context
- 湯姆打算回去。Tom plans to return.This sentence shows how to use 回去 to express a plan to return.Tatoeba #6947341 by verdastelo9604, translation #4501440 by CK
- 誰准你回去的！Who let you return!This sentence uses 回去 to express an exclamation about someone returning.Tatoeba #1636163 by fengli, translation #9401896 by BobbyLee
- 他总有一天要返回日本。One day he will return to Japan.This sentence demonstrates the use of 返回 in a more formal context regarding a country.Tatoeba #956044 by U2FS, translation #1612805 by jose76c
- 回到家里Return home
- 回到办公室Return to the office
- 归还书籍Return books
- 归还钥匙Return keys
- 退回包裹Return a package
- 退回错误文件Return incorrect documents
- 还书Return a book
- 还钱Return money
- 退衣服Return clothes
- 退回货物Return merchandise
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two colleagues are discussing a business trip.
- 浩然 Haoran你什么时候返回北京？Nǐ shénme shíhou fǎnhuí Běijīng?When are you returning to Beijing?
- 晓雯 Xiaowen我下周五就返回。Wǒ xià zhōu wǔ jiù fǎnhuí.I will return next Friday.
- 浩然 Haoran那太好了，我们到时候见。Nà tài hǎole, wǒmen dào shíhou jiàn.That's great, I'll see you then.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen好的，浩然，再见。Hǎo de, Hàorán, zàijiàn.Okay, Haoran, goodbye.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “return” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 歸, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
