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March 24, 2026
归(歸)guī(gui1)
归 (guī) primarily means 'to return' or 'to go back to.' It is commonly used in contexts such as returning home or giving something back. The word can also imply belonging, as in something that is 'attributed to' or 'taken care of by' someone, highlighting responsibility or ownership.
Strokes5Radical彐Frequency#1895DifficultyHard
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, the concept of returning home is deeply significant, especially during festivals like Spring Festival (春节), when families reunite. The character 归 embodies the importance of family ties and the act of coming home.
Memory tip
Think of 归 (guī) as a person returning home after a long journey. The character has a 'home' radical (回) at the bottom, symbolizing the destination. Imagine the sound 'guī' like a guiding voice saying, 'Go back to where you belong!'
Meanings of 归
guī(gui1)
1to return
2to go back to
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About 归
归Simplified
歸Traditional
5Strokes
彐Radical
介词jiècípreposition (prep.)Part of Speech
#1895Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1
Podcast: 归
Podcast: 归
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AI study notes for 归
Quick Contrast
返回 (fǎnhuí) vs 归 (guī): use 归 when emphasizing a sense of belonging or responsibility, while 返回 focuses purely on the act of returning.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 归 with 回 (huí), which also means to return, but 归 emphasizes the act of returning to a specific place or responsibility. It's used in both formal and informal contexts but might be more common in written Chinese. Be cautious with tone; the correct pronunciation is crucial—'guī' with a high flat tone.
HSK Study Tips
Though 归 is not assigned a specific HSK level, it connects well with other verbs related to movement and direction, like 回 (huí) and 去 (qù). Students should focus on using 归 in sentences that express returning or belonging, solidifying its usage.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is confusing 归 with 回; for instance, saying '我回家了' (Wǒ huí jiā le - I returned home) instead of '我归家了' (Wǒ guī jiā le) when emphasizing the act of returning to one's home as a place of belonging. Another mistake is omitting the tone, which can lead to misunderstandings.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 归
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归 (guī) primarily means 'to return' or 'to go back to.' It is commonly used in contexts such as returning home or giving something back. The word can also imply belonging, as in something that is 'attributed to' or 'taken care of by' someone, highlighting responsibility or ownership.
When to use 归
Learners often confuse 归 with 回 (huí), which also means to return, but 归 emphasizes the act of returning to a specific place or responsibility. It's used in both formal and informal contexts but might be more common in written Chinese. Be cautious with tone; the correct pronunciation is crucial—'guī' with a high flat tone.
归 or something close to it
返回 (fǎnhuí) vs 归 (guī): use 归 when emphasizing a sense of belonging or responsibility, while 返回 focuses purely on the act of returning.
What learners get wrong
A common mistake is confusing 归 with 回; for instance, saying '我回家了' (Wǒ huí jiā le - I returned home) instead of '我归家了' (Wǒ guī jiā le) when emphasizing the act of returning to one's home as a place of belonging. Another mistake is omitting the tone, which can lead to misunderstandings.
Write 归
归
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Grammar patterns of 归
归 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 11 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The patterns below break down its most common sentence frames, with example sentences and practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) for each one.
Teacher Gui is very popular at school because his teaching methods are unique.
14
归小姐刚刚出版了一本关于历史的书，受到了广泛关注。
Guī xiǎojiě gānggāng chūbǎnle yī běn guānyú lìshǐ de shū, shòudào le guǎngfàn guānzhù.
Miss Gui has just published a book on history, which has received wide attention.
15
在这家公司，归总是以严谨的工作态度而闻名。
Zài zhè jiā gōngsī, Guī zǒng shì yǐ yánjǐn de gōngzuò tàidù ér wénmíng.
In this company, General Manager Gui is known for his meticulous work attitude.
16
归医生在医学界有着很高的声誉，许多病人慕名而来。
Guī yīshēng zài yīxué jiè yǒuzhe hěn gāo de shēngyù, xǔduō bìngrén mùmíng ér lái.
Doctor Gui has a high reputation in the medical field, and many patients come to see him by reputation.
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Word Family of 归
Compounds1
岿kuīgrand, stately; secure, lasting
Words containing this character20
归guīto return歸
回归huíguīto return to回歸
无家可归wújiākěguīhomeless無家可歸
归还guīhuánto return sth歸還
归属guīshǔto belong to歸屬
归宿guīsùhome歸宿
归纳guīnàto sum up歸納
归于guīyúto belong to歸於
归功guīgōngto give credit歸功
归队guīduìto return to one's unit歸隊
归咎guījiùto accuse歸咎
归结guījiéto sum up歸結
归案guī’ànto bring to justice歸案
总归zǒngguīeventually總歸
归档guīdàngto file away歸檔
言归正传yánguīzhèngzhuànto return to the topic (idiom)言歸正傳
当归dāngguīAngelica sinensis當歸
归根结底guīgēnjiédǐultimately歸根結底
同归于尽tóngguīyújìnto take sb down with oneself同歸於盡
归类guīlèito classify歸類
Exercise 1 of 4
Characters with 归
What does 岿 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 归
归 (guī) is categorized as an HSK level 4 word. This indicates that it is typically learned after mastering basic vocabulary, making it suitable for intermediate learners who are expanding their understanding of Chinese.
Some common phrases include '归来' (guī lái), meaning 'to return,' and '归属' (guī shǔ), which means 'belonging.' These expressions showcase the versatility of the character in different contexts.
归 (guī) means 'to go back to' or 'to return.' It can also refer to giving something back, belonging to a certain category, or gathering together. The character is often used in contexts related to returning home or responsibilities.
You can use 归 (guī) in a sentence like '我想要归家' (Wǒ xiǎng yào guī jiā), which means 'I want to go home.' It can also be used to express belonging, as in '这个书归我' (zhège shū guī wǒ), meaning 'This book belongs to me.'
You can use 归 to indicate returning, for example, '我归家了' (Wǒ guī jiā le) means 'I have returned home.'
Yes, 归 is often found in formal contexts, especially in written Chinese, when discussing responsibilities or belonging.
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