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收复 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
收复shōufùto recover (lost territory etc)HSK 7, unknown, 15 strokes, rank #37902, Very Hard
收复shōufùto recaptureHSK 7, unknown, 15 strokes, rank #37902, Very Hard
shōufù(shou1fu4)shou fu T1
  1. 1to recover (lost territory etc)
  2. 2to recapture
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March 24, 2026

收复(收復)shōufù(shou1fu4)

The term '收复' means to recover or recapture something that has been lost, specifically in the context of territory or possessions. It is often used in historical or political discussions, particularly regarding the retrieval of lost land or sovereignty.

Strokes15Frequency#37902DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

'收复' is often linked to significant historical events in China, such as the recovery of Hong Kong in 1997, making it a word loaded with national sentiment and pride.

Memory tip

Imagine a soldier holding a flag high, as he '收' (receives) the '复' (returned) territory back into his hands. The character '收' resembles a hand reaching out to grab something, while '复' suggests a return, making it easy to visualize the action of reclaiming what was lost.

Meanings of 收复

shōufù(shou1fu4)
1to recover (lost territory etc)
2to recapture
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About 收复

收复Simplified
收復Traditional
15Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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AI study notes for 收复

Quick Contrast

恢复 (huīfù) vs 收复 (shōufù): use 收复 when referring specifically to the recovery of lost territory or possessions, while 恢复 is broader, encompassing general restoration.

Usage Notes

Be mindful of the context in which you use '收复'; it is generally formal and may not be suitable for casual conversations. Common collocations include '收复失地' (recover lost territory) and '收复失去的荣誉' (regain lost honor). Watch out for the tones; '收' (shōu) means to collect, while '复' (fù) can mean to return or repeat.

HSK Study Tips

Though '收复' is not an HSK vocabulary word, it connects to HSK Level 4 and higher where learners engage more with political and historical discussions. Focus on understanding its usage in context, especially in news articles or discussions about territorial issues.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse '收复' with '恢复' (huīfù); while both imply regaining something, '收复' specifically refers to recovering lost territory rather than general restoration. For example, saying '我想收复我的健康' (I want to recover my health) is incorrect; it should be '我想恢复我的健康'.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 收复

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Component characters

收shōuto receive
HSK 36 strokes攵
View full entry
复fùto go and return
HSK 29 strokes夊
View full entry

How to say to recover (lost territory etc) in Chinese

“to recover (lost territory etc)” in Chinese is收复shōufù

The term '收复' means to recover or recapture something that has been lost, specifically in the context of territory or possessions. It is often used in historical or political discussions, particularly regarding the retrieval of lost land or sovereignty.

When to use 收复

Be mindful of the context in which you use '收复'; it is generally formal and may not be suitable for casual conversations. Common collocations include '收复失地' (recover lost territory) and '收复失去的荣誉' (regain lost honor). Watch out for the tones; '收' (shōu) means to collect, while '复' (fù) can mean to return or repeat.

收复 or something close to it

恢复 (huīfù) vs 收复 (shōufù): use 收复 when referring specifically to the recovery of lost territory or possessions, while 恢复 is broader, encompassing general restoration.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse '收复' with '恢复' (huīfù); while both imply regaining something, '收复' specifically refers to recovering lost territory rather than general restoration. For example, saying '我想收复我的健康' (I want to recover my health) is incorrect; it should be '我想恢复我的健康'.

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复

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Cultural Notes for 收复

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western contexts, the idea of recovering lost territory might be less frequent, typically associated with historical conflicts or treaties rather than ongoing national pride.

Frequently asked questions about 收复

'收复' is primarily used in political or territorial contexts, so it's not common to use it for personal items.

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