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收回 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
收回shōuhuíto regainHSK 4, unknown, 12 strokes, rank #3416, Medium
收回shōuhuíto retakeHSK 4, unknown, 12 strokes, rank #3416, Medium
收回shōuhuíto take backHSK 4, unknown, 12 strokes, rank #3416, Medium
收回shōuhuíto withdrawHSK 4, unknown, 12 strokes, rank #3416, Medium
收回shōuhuíto revokeHSK 4, unknown, 12 strokes, rank #3416, Medium
shōuhuí(shou1hui2) T1
  1. 1to regain
  2. 2to retake
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March 24, 2026

收回shōuhuí(shou1hui2)

收回 (shōu huí) means to regain or take back something that was previously given or lost. It is commonly used in contexts such as withdrawing statements, retrieving items, or revoking permissions. The nuance often implies a sense of returning to a previous state or possession.

Strokes12Frequency#3416DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

In Chinese business culture, the idea of revoking agreements or statements is significant, especially in negotiations or contracts. 收回 is often used when discussing changes in policy or decisions made by authorities.

Memory Tip

Imagine a person reaching out to '收' (shōu, to receive) something that has been thrown away, and then '回' (huí, to return) it back to its original place. Visualize a boomerang that always comes back to you, symbolizing retrieving what was lost.

Meanings of 收回

shōuhuí(shou1hui2)
1to regain
2to retake
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 收回

收回Simplified
12Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L4IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1

Podcast: 收回

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Podcast: 收回

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AI Study Notes for 收回

Quick Contrast

收回 (shōuhuí) vs 取回 (qǔhuí): use 收回 when emphasizing the act of regaining something that was given up, while 取回 focuses more on the act of retrieving an item.

Usage Notes

A common mistake is to confuse 收回 with 取回 (qǔ huí), which specifically means to pick up or collect something. 收回 is often used in formal contexts, such as legal or administrative language, so be mindful of the appropriate register. Pay attention to the tones: shōu (first tone) and huí (second tone).

HSK Study Tips

While 收回 is not explicitly listed in HSK levels, it connects with words related to actions and processes common in HSK 4-5. Focus on the characters and their components to enhance your understanding of related terms like 取得 (qǔ dé, to obtain).

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 收回 with 退回 (tuì huí), which means to return something to a sender. For example, saying '我想退回这本书' (I want to take back this book) should use 收回 if you imply regaining possession rather than returning it to someone.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 收回

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Component Characters

收shōuto receive
HSK 36 strokes攵
View full entry
回huíto circle
HSK 16 strokes囗
View full entry

How to say to regain in Chinese

“to regain” in Chinese is收回shōuhuí

收回 (shōu huí) means to regain or take back something that was previously given or lost. It is commonly used in contexts such as withdrawing statements, retrieving items, or revoking permissions. The nuance often implies a sense of returning to a previous state or possession.

When to use 收回

A common mistake is to confuse 收回 with 取回 (qǔ huí), which specifically means to pick up or collect something. 收回 is often used in formal contexts, such as legal or administrative language, so be mindful of the appropriate register. Pay attention to the tones: shōu (first tone) and huí (second tone).

收回 or something close to it

收回 (shōuhuí) vs 取回 (qǔhuí): use 收回 when emphasizing the act of regaining something that was given up, while 取回 focuses more on the act of retrieving an item.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 收回 with 退回 (tuì huí), which means to return something to a sender. For example, saying '我想退回这本书' (I want to take back this book) should use 收回 if you imply regaining possession rather than returning it to someone.

Write 收回

收
回

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

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Frequently Asked Questions about 收回

Yes, but it's more common in formal or written contexts, such as business discussions.

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