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March 24, 2026
回huí(hui2)
The character 回 (huí) primarily means 'to return' or 'to go back.' It is commonly used in various contexts, such as indicating a physical return to a place or responding to a question. Additionally, it can refer to the Hui ethnic group, who are Chinese Muslims, and is used as a classifier for acts in plays or sections in books.
Strokes6Radical囗Frequency#143DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note
The Hui ethnic group, referred to by 回, is notable for their contributions to Chinese cuisine, especially in the realm of halal foods. They have a rich cultural heritage that blends Islamic traditions with Chinese customs, particularly in regions like Ningxia.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person making a circular motion with their arms, symbolizing 'returning' or 'going back.' The character 回 resembles a house with an opening, suggesting the idea of returning home or back to a starting point. This visual connection helps recall its pronunciation 'huí' and meaning.
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AI Study Notes for 回
Quick Contrast
返回 (fǎnhuí) vs 回到 (huídào) — use 回 (huí) for a more general sense of returning, while 返回 (fǎnhuí) emphasizes the action of going back, and 回到 (huídào) specifies returning to a particular place.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person making a circular motion with their arms, symbolizing 'returning' or 'going back.' The character 回 resembles a house with an opening, suggesting the idea of returning home or back to a starting point. This visual connection helps recall its pronunciation 'huí' and meaning.
Usage Notes
Be cautious not to confuse 回 with 还 (hái), which also means 'to return' but has additional meanings. 回 is more formal and can be used in both spoken and written Chinese, while 还 is more casual. Common collocations include 回家 (huí jiā) meaning 'to go home' and 回答 (huídá) meaning 'to answer.'
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 1 word, 回 connects well with other basic verbs like 去 (qù, to go) and 来 (lái, to come). Focus on using 回 in simple sentences and in conjunction with direction words to express movement back to a location.
Cultural Note
The Hui ethnic group, referred to by 回, is notable for their contributions to Chinese cuisine, especially in the realm of halal foods. They have a rich cultural heritage that blends Islamic traditions with Chinese customs, particularly in regions like Ningxia.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 回 with 还 (hái) when they mean 'to return.' For example, saying 我还家 (Wǒ hái jiā) is incorrect; it should be 我回家 (Wǒ huí jiā). Additionally, remember that 回 can also indicate 'to answer,' so using it in contexts involving questions is essential.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 回
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Grammar Patterns of 回
回 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 12 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Your job will be kept open for your return after maternity leave.
11
小鸟在天空中回着飞。
Xiǎo niǎo zài tiānkōng zhōng huí zhe fēi.
The bird is circling in the sky.
12
蜜蜂围着花朵回。
Mìfēng wéizhe huāduǒ huí.
The bee is circling around the flower.
13
猫在树下回。
Māo zài shù xià huí.
The cat is circling under the tree.
14
鱼在水里回游。
Yú zài shuǐ lǐ huí yóu.
The fish is circling in the water.
15
孩子们在公园里回着跑。
Háizi men zài gōngyuán lǐ huízhe pǎo.
The children are circling around in the park.
16
飞机在机场上空回。
Fēijī zài jīchǎng shàngkōng huí.
The plane is circling above the airport.
Cultural Notes for 回
🏮Cultural insight
The Hui ethnic group, referred to by 回, is notable for their contributions to Chinese cuisine, especially in the realm of halal foods. They have a rich cultural heritage that blends Islamic traditions with Chinese customs, particularly in regions like Ningxia.
Word Family of 回
Compounds19
徊huai2see 徘徊[pái huái], to dither
啬se4stingy
禀bing3to report to, to petition
茴hui2fennel, aniseed
蛔hui2tapeworm
迴hui2to rotate, to revolve; curve, zig-zag
佪
廻
恛
洄hui2backwater; an eddy a whirlpool
靣
啚bi3mean, low
嗇se4miserly, stingy, thrifty
痐
硘
稟bing3to report to, to petition
絗
顲
鮰
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
Compound Meaning
What does 徊 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 回
You can say 回家 (huí jiā) to mean 'to go home' or 回答问题 (huídá wèntí) to mean 'to answer a question.'
回 is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
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