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March 24, 2026
回扣()huíkòu(hui2kou4)
回扣 (huí kǒu) refers to a commission or incentive given to a middleman or agent for facilitating a transaction. It can also serve as a euphemism for illicit payments, such as bribes, making it a term often associated with corruption in business dealings.
Frequency#21035DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese business culture, the practice of 回扣 is often seen as a necessary evil, reflecting a complex relationship with ethics in negotiations. This term highlights the gray area in business practices where personal relationships and financial incentives intertwine.
Memory Tip
Think of 回 (huí) as 'return' and 扣 (kòu) as 'deduction'. Imagine a broker returning a portion of their earnings to a seller as a kickback, which helps you associate the characters with the idea of 'returning a deduction'. Visualize a hand exchanging money under the table to reinforce the concept of a backdoor deal.
Meanings of 回扣
huíkòu(hui2kou4)
1brokerage
2a commission paid to a middleman
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About 回扣
回扣Simplified
Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedBCT✓CEFRC2
Podcast: 回扣
Podcast: 回扣
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AI Study Notes for 回扣
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 回 (huí) as 'return' and 扣 (kòu) as 'deduction'. Imagine a broker returning a portion of their earnings to a seller as a kickback, which helps you associate the characters with the idea of 'returning a deduction'. Visualize a hand exchanging money under the table to reinforce the concept of a backdoor deal.
Usage Notes
When using 回扣, be cautious of the context, as it can imply illegal activities, especially in formal settings. Common collocations include '支付回扣' (pay commission) and '接受回扣' (accept kickbacks). Learners should also watch out for tonal mistakes, particularly in the second tone of 回.
HSK Study Tips
While 回扣 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects to HSK Level 5 words related to business and finance, such as '交易' (transaction) and '佣金' (commission). Focus on understanding the nuances of business language and ethical implications.
Cultural Note
In Chinese business culture, the practice of 回扣 is often seen as a necessary evil, reflecting a complex relationship with ethics in negotiations. This term highlights the gray area in business practices where personal relationships and financial incentives intertwine.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 回扣 with 佣金, mistakenly using them interchangeably. For example, saying '我给他佣金' (I gave him a kickback) is incorrect; instead, use '我给他回扣'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 回扣
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Cultural Notes for 回扣
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese business culture, the practice of 回扣 is often seen as a necessary evil, reflecting a complex relationship with ethics in negotiations. This term highlights the gray area in business practices where personal relationships and financial incentives intertwine.
Frequently Asked Questions about 回扣
Not necessarily, as it can refer to legitimate commissions, but it often has negative connotations related to bribery.
You could say, '公司支付了高额的回扣给代理商' (The company paid a high commission to the agent).
佣金 (yōng jīn) specifically refers to commission for services rendered, while 回扣 often implies a kickback or incentive that might be unethical.
