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无家可归 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
无家可归wújiākěguīhomelessHSK 7, unknown, 24 strokes, rank #5080, Very Hard
wújiākěguī(wu2jia1ke3gui1)wu jia ke gui T2
  1. 1homeless
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March 24, 2026

无家可归(無家可歸)wújiākěguī(wu2jia1ke3gui1)

The idiom 无家可归 (wú jiā kě guī) literally translates to 'without a home to return to.' It is used to describe someone who is homeless or lacks a place to live. This phrase often evokes feelings of sympathy and highlights social issues related to poverty and displacement.

Strokes24Frequency#5080DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In China, the issue of homelessness can be particularly visible in urban areas, where rapid economic development has led to significant disparities. The term 无家可归 is often used in social discussions about migration and urban poverty.

Memory tip

Imagine a person standing outside a house with a big '无' (no) sign on the door, looking around and saying '家' (home) and '归' (return). The '无' indicates absence, while '家' and '归' remind you of the longing for a home and the inability to return to one.

Meanings of 无家可归

wújiākěguī(wu2jia1ke3gui1)
1homeless
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About 无家可归

无家可归Simplified
無家可歸Traditional
24Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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AI study notes for 无家可归

Usage Notes

Be careful when using this phrase; it is often used in serious contexts discussing social issues. Avoid using it lightly or in a joking manner, as it may offend those who are actually experiencing homelessness. Common collocations include '无家可归者' (the homeless) and '无家可归的生活' (the life of being homeless).

HSK Study Tips

While this idiom is not part of the HSK curriculum, it connects to themes of social issues that are relevant at intermediate levels. Students should focus on the structure of idioms and how they express complex ideas succinctly.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse this idiom with '没家可归' (méi jiā kě guī), which is incorrect. The correct usage is '无家可归' to convey the idea of being homeless.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 无家可归

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Idiom spotlight: 无家可归

Chengyu origin story
Literal meaning:no home can return

Component characters

无wú-less
HSK 44 strokes无
View full entry
家jiāhome
HSK 110 strokes宀
View full entry
可kěcan
HSK 35 strokes口
View full entry
归guīto return
HSK 65 strokes彐
View full entry

How to say homeless in Chinese

“homeless” in Chinese is无家可归wújiākěguī

The idiom 无家可归 (wú jiā kě guī) literally translates to 'without a home to return to.' It is used to describe someone who is homeless or lacks a place to live. This phrase often evokes feelings of sympathy and highlights social issues related to poverty and displacement.

When to use 无家可归

Be careful when using this phrase; it is often used in serious contexts discussing social issues. Avoid using it lightly or in a joking manner, as it may offend those who are actually experiencing homelessness. Common collocations include '无家可归者' (the homeless) and '无家可归的生活' (the life of being homeless).

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse this idiom with '没家可归' (méi jiā kě guī), which is incorrect. The correct usage is '无家可归' to convey the idea of being homeless.

Write 无家可归

无
家
可
归

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Frequently asked questions about 无家可归

Yes, it can refer to both temporary and permanent homelessness.

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