Learn a Chinese Character - 归

1. Character Basics

Radical: 彐/jì (pig's snout), 辶/chuò (walk)

Stroke Count: 5

Stroke Order:

2. Pronunciation

Pinyin: Guī (First tone)

3. Meaning

Basic Meaning: To return; to go back; to come back; to revert; to return to; to go back to; to come back to; to return home; to go home; to come home; to return to one's country; to go back to one's country; to come back to one's country

Extended Meaning: To belong to; to be part of; to be classified as; to fall into; to be included in; to pertain to; to relate to; to concern; to involve; to affect; to influence; to impact; to touch

Additional Meaning: To give back; to return to; to restore; to return something to; to give something back to; to restore something to; to return a favor; to give back a favor; to restore a favor

4. Common Words

• 回家 (huí jiā) - To go home; to return home
  Example: 我要回家。 (Wǒ yào huí jiā.) - I want to go home.
• 归还 (guī huán) - To return; to give back
  Example: 请归还这本书。 (Qǐng guīhuán zhè běn shū.) - Please return this book.
• 归来 (guī lái) - To come back; to return
  Example: 游子归来。 (Yóuzǐ guīlái.) - The wanderer returns.
• 归属 (guī shǔ) - To belong to; to pertain to
  Example: 这个问题归属哪个部门？ (Zhège wèntí guīshǔ nǎge bùmén?) - Which department does this issue belong to?
• 归还 (guī huán) - To return; to give back
  Example: 按时归还物品。 (Ànshí guīhuán wùpǐn.) - Return the items on time.

5. Grammar & Usage

Verb Usage:

• 归 + 名词: 归队 (guīduì) - To return to one's team
• 归 + 于: 归功于 (guīgōng yú) - To attribute to
• 把 + 名词 + 归 + 于: 把成功归于努力。 (Bǎ chénggōng guī yú nǔlì.) - Attribute success to hard work.

Preposition Usage:

• 归 + 名词: 归他所有 (guī tā suǒyǒu) - Belong to him
• 归 + 时间: 归期 (guīqī) - Date of return

Common Structures:

• 物归原主 (wùguīyuánzhǔ) - Return something to its original owner
• 视死如归 (shìsǐrúguī) - Face death unflinchingly
• 无家可归 (wújiākěguī) - Homeless; have no home to return to

6. Cultural Background

在中国文化中，"归"字有着深厚的情感和文化内涵。它不仅表示物理上的回归，还象征着精神上的归宿和归属感。例如，"落叶归根"表达了游子对故乡的思念和最终回归的愿望；"归心似箭"形容回家的急切心情。在传统节日如春节，中国人有"回家过年"的习俗，体现了家庭团聚的重要性。此外，"归"也用于表达事物的归属和分类，反映了中国文化中对秩序和归属的重视。

In Chinese culture, the character "gui" (return) has profound emotional and cultural connotations. It not only represents physical return but also symbolizes spiritual belonging and a sense of home. For example, "luòyèguīgēn" (falling leaves return to their roots) expresses the wanderer's yearning for their hometown and the desire to eventually return; "guīxīnsìjiàn" (the heart returning is like an arrow) describes the eagerness to go home. During traditional festivals like the Spring Festival, Chinese people have the custom of "huí jiā guònián" (going home for the New Year), reflecting the importance of family reunion. In addition, "gui" is also used to express the belonging and classification of things, reflecting the emphasis on order and belonging in Chinese culture.

7. Example Sentence

8. Memory Tips

1. Component Decomposition: "归" is composed of "彐" (which looks like a pig's snout) and "辶" (which represents walking). Imagine something walking back to its place.
2. Phonetic Association: The pronunciation "guī" sounds similar to "归" itself. Repeat it several times to remember.
3. Visual Imagery: Imagine a person walking back home, carrying something, which represents the meaning of "return" or "go back".
4. Associate Similar Characters: Characters related to "归" include "旧" (jiù, old), "扫" (sǎo, sweep), and "当" (dāng, when). Remember the differences between them.
5. Practice Common Words: Practicing common words like "回家" (go home), "归还" (return), and "归属" (belong to) can help strengthen memory.