HSK 6, v, 5 strokes, radical 彐, rank #1895, Medium
归
guī
to return
HSK 6, v, 5 strokes, radical 彐, rank #1895, Medium
归
guī
to go back to
HSK 6, v, 5 strokes, radical 彐, rank #1895, Medium
归
guī
to give back to
HSK 6, v, 5 strokes, radical 彐, rank #1895, Medium
归
guī
(of a responsibility) to be taken care of by
HSK 6, v, 5 strokes, radical 彐, rank #1895, Medium
归
guī
to belong to
HSK 6, v, 5 strokes, radical 彐, rank #1895, Medium
归
guī
to gather together
HSK 6, v, 5 strokes, radical 彐, rank #1895, Medium
归
guī
(used between two identical verbs) despite
HSK 6, v, 5 strokes, radical 彐, rank #1895, Medium
归
guī
to marry (of a woman) (old)
HSK 6, v, 5 strokes, radical 彐, rank #1895, Medium
归
guī
division on the abacus with a one-digit divisor
HSK 6, v, 5 strokes, radical 彐, rank #1895, Medium
归
guī
to return, to go back; to return to, to revert
HSK 6, v, 5 strokes, radical 彐, rank #1895, Medium
guī(gui1) T1
1to return
2to go back to
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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#1895DifficultyMedium
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
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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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.
Memory Mnemonic
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!'
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.
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.
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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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.
The details are filed away by his three secretaries for future reference.
Cultural Notes for 归
🏮Cultural insight
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.
Word Family of 归
Compounds1
岿kui1grand, 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to belong to歸於
归功to give credit歸功
归队to return to one's unit歸隊
归咎to accuse歸咎
归结guījiéto sum up歸結
归案to bring to justice歸案
总归eventually總歸
归档to file away歸檔
言归正传to return to the topic (idiom)言歸正傳
当归Angelica sinensis當歸
归根结底ultimately歸根結底
同归于尽to take sb down with oneself同歸於盡
归类to classify歸類
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
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.
