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迴 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
迴huíto rotate, to revolve; curve, zig-zagzg, 9 strokes, radical 辶, rank #56521, Very Hard
huí(hui2)hui T2
  1. 1to rotate, to revolve; curve, zig-zag
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March 24, 2026

迴huí(hui2)

The character 迴 (huí) primarily means 'to rotate' or 'to revolve.' It is commonly used to describe movement that curves or zig-zags, often in contexts related to paths, routes, or even thoughts. The nuance of this character conveys a sense of returning or going back, linking it to cycles and circular motions.

Strokes9Radical辶Frequency#56521DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

The concept of cycles and returning is significant in Chinese philosophy, especially in terms of the cyclical nature of life and seasons, which resonates with traditional Chinese beliefs about harmony and balance.

Memory tip

Imagine a winding road that curves and turns back on itself. The character 迴 visually resembles a winding path, with the left side representing the curves, while the right side suggests a return motion. Think of 'huí' as 'highway' that winds and loops.

Meanings of 迴

huí(hui2)
1to rotate, to revolve; curve, zig-zag
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 迴 means.

About 迴

迴Simplified
9Strokes
辶Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 迴

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Podcast: 迴

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AI Study Notes for 迴

Quick Contrast

回 (huí) vs 转 (zhuǎn) — use 迴 when emphasizing a return or cyclical movement, while 转 focuses on turning or changing direction.

Usage Notes

Be cautious with the tone; 迴 (huí) is pronounced with the second tone, which can be confused with other similar-sounding words. It's often used in formal contexts when describing routes or directions, so ensure to use it appropriately. Common collocations include 迴圈 (huíquān, 'cycle') and 迴路 (huílù, 'loop').

HSK Study Tips

Although 迴 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects with other words at the advanced levels that involve movement and direction, such as 走 (zǒu, 'to walk') and 转 (zhuǎn, 'to turn'). Students should focus on recognizing its usage in phrases and compound words.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 迴 (huí) with 回 (huí), leading to incorrect usages in contexts that require clarification of movement type. For example, using 回 to describe a winding road instead of 迴 is incorrect; the correct phrase would be 迴路.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 迴

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Etymology of 迴

Formation typeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Explanation

Originally a spiral, conveying the meaning "to turn around".

Memory hint

To walk 辶 in circles 回; 回 also provides the pronunciation

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

What kind of character is 迴?

Decomposition of 迴

IDS Structure⿺辶回
迴Full character
=
辶chuo4
enclosing
回hui2
inner
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 迴?

How to say to rotate, to revolve; curve, zig-zag in Chinese

“to rotate, to revolve; curve, zig-zag” in Chinese is迴huí

The character 迴 (huí) primarily means 'to rotate' or 'to revolve.' It is commonly used to describe movement that curves or zig-zags, often in contexts related to paths, routes, or even thoughts. The nuance of this character conveys a sense of returning or going back, linking it to cycles and circular motions.

When to use 迴

Be cautious with the tone; 迴 (huí) is pronounced with the second tone, which can be confused with other similar-sounding words. It's often used in formal contexts when describing routes or directions, so ensure to use it appropriately. Common collocations include 迴圈 (huíquān, 'cycle') and 迴路 (huílù, 'loop').

迴 or something close to it

回 (huí) vs 转 (zhuǎn) — use 迴 when emphasizing a return or cyclical movement, while 转 focuses on turning or changing direction.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 迴 (huí) with 回 (huí), leading to incorrect usages in contexts that require clarification of movement type. For example, using 回 to describe a winding road instead of 迴 is incorrect; the correct phrase would be 迴路.

Write 迴

迴

Practice writing 迴 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 迴

迴 carries one core meaning. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.

Exercise 1 of 1

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

我紧随他穿过一条条迂____曲折的窄巷.

I followed him through a maze of narrow alleys.

Example Sentences for 迴 (1)

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1
我紧随他穿过一条条迂迴曲折的窄巷.

wǒ jǐn suí tā chuān guò yī tiáo tiáo yū huí qū zhē de zhǎi xiàng.

I followed him through a maze of narrow alleys.

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Word Family of 迴

Words containing this character20
回huíto circle
回来huíláito return回來
回家huíjiāto return home
回复huífùto reply回復
回去huíqùto return
回到huídàoto return to
回答huídáto reply
回忆huíyìto recall回憶
回头huítóuto turn round回頭
回报huíbào(in) return回報
回归huíguīto return to回歸
返回fǎnhuíto return to
收回shōuhuíto regain
回应huíyìngto respond回應
回顾huígùto look back回顧
回落huíluòto fall back
回收huíshōuto recycle
回避huíbìto shun迴避
回国huíguóto return to one's home country回國
带回to bring back帶回
Exercise 1 of 4

Characters with 迴

What does 回 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 迴

It is pronounced as huí, with a rising tone.

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