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March 24, 2026
回忆(回憶)huíyì(hui2yi4)
回忆 (huí yì) means 'to recall' or 'to reminisce.' It is often used when talking about memories from the past, whether they are happy or sad. This verb can be applied in both personal contexts, such as sharing fond memories with friends, and in more formal discussions about history or experiences.
Strokes10Frequency#2105DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, memories play a significant role in family gatherings, especially during festivals like the Mid-Autumn Festival, where families share stories from the past. 回忆 embodies the value placed on honoring and reflecting on family history.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person turning back time (回) to gather (忆) all their favorite memories like precious treasures. The character 回 looks like a person turning back towards their past, while 忆 combines the idea of thought (意) with memory.
Meanings of 回忆
huíyì(hui2yi4)
1to recall
2memories
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About 回忆
回忆Simplified
回憶Traditional
10Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#2105Frequency Rank
个Measure Word
HSK 2.0L4HSK 3.0L4IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 回忆
Podcast: 回忆
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AI Study Notes for 回忆
Quick Contrast
怀念 (huáiniàn) is more about longing for the past, while 回忆 (huíyì) focuses on the act of recalling memories.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 回忆 with 记得 (jì dé), which means 'to remember.' 回忆 is often more reflective and can imply a deeper emotional connection. It is commonly used in both spoken and written forms, but may carry a more formal tone depending on context.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 4 word, 回忆 connects to other vocabulary related to emotions and experiences. Focus on using it in sentences that describe past events or feelings, and practice its collocations with words like '过去' (past) or '故事' (stories).
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 回忆 with 忘记 (wàng jì), which means 'to forget.' A common mistake is saying '我回忆我忘记' (I recall I forgot) instead of '我回忆我曾经记得' (I recall I once remembered).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 回忆
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回忆 (huí yì) means 'to recall' or 'to reminisce.' It is often used when talking about memories from the past, whether they are happy or sad. This verb can be applied in both personal contexts, such as sharing fond memories with friends, and in more formal discussions about history or experiences.
When to use 回忆
Be careful not to confuse 回忆 with 记得 (jì dé), which means 'to remember.' 回忆 is often more reflective and can imply a deeper emotional connection. It is commonly used in both spoken and written forms, but may carry a more formal tone depending on context.
回忆 or something close to it
怀念 (huáiniàn) is more about longing for the past, while 回忆 (huíyì) focuses on the act of recalling memories.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 回忆 with 忘记 (wàng jì), which means 'to forget.' A common mistake is saying '我回忆我忘记' (I recall I forgot) instead of '我回忆我曾经记得' (I recall I once remembered).
Write 回忆
回
忆
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Grammar Patterns of 回忆
回忆 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 2 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.
