Learn a Chinese Character - 恢 (Huī - Vast; extensive; to restore; to recover; spacious; broad; to return to original state; grand; magnificent; to revive; to renew)

1. Character Basics

Radical: 忄 (xīn) - Heart/mind radical

Stroke Count: 9 strokes

Stroke Order:

2. Pronunciation

Pinyin: Huī (First tone)

3. Meaning

Basic Meaning: Vast; extensive; to restore; to recover

Extended Meanings:

• Spacious; broad
• To return to original state
• Grand; magnificent
• To revive; to renew

Additional Notes: Often used to describe something that is vast or to indicate the action of restoring something to its original state. Can be used both literally and figuratively.

4. Common Words

• 恢复 (huī fù) - To recover; to restore

  Example: 他的健康正在恢复中。 (Tā de jiànkāng zhèngzài huīfù zhōng.) - His health is recovering.

• 恢弘 (huī hóng) - Vast; grand; extensive

  Example: 这部电影展现了恢弘的历史场景。 (Zhè bù diànyǐng zhǎnxiàn le huīhóng de lìshǐ chǎngjǐng.) - This movie presents grand historical scenes.

• 恢廓 (huī kuò) - Broad; vast; extensive

  Example: 他有恢廓的胸襟。 (Tā yǒu huīkuò de xiōngjīn.) - He has a broad mind.

• 恢复力 (huī fù lì) - Resilience; recovery ability

  Example: 儿童的恢复力很强。 (Értóng de huīfùlì hěn qiáng.) - Children have strong resilience.

• 天网恢恢 (tiān wǎng huī huī) - The net of Heaven is vast (idiom)

  Example: 天网恢恢，疏而不漏。 (Tiān wǎng huī huī, shū ér bù lòu.) - The net of Heaven is vast, and nothing escapes it.

5. Grammar & Usage

Part of Speech: Verb; adjective

Common Usage:

• As a verb: Indicating the action of restoring or recovering something
• As an adjective: Describing something that is vast, grand, or extensive
• Often used in both formal and literary contexts
• Can be used in various tenses and forms

Common Structures:

• 恢 + Verb (e.g., 恢复 - to recover; 恢宏 - to expand grandly)
• 恢 + Adjective (e.g., 恢廓 - broad and vast)
• Noun + 恢复 (e.g., 健康恢复 - health recovery; 经济恢复 - economic recovery)
• 恢 + 恢 (reduplicated form, e.g., 恢恢 - vast and extensive)

Usage Notes: "恢" is often used in combination with other characters to form words with specific meanings. When used as a verb, it typically requires an object to indicate what is being restored. When used as an adjective, it describes the nature or quality of something.

6. Cultural Background

Literary and Philosophical Context:

The character "恢" has been used in Chinese literature and philosophy for thousands of years. It often appears in classical texts to describe vast landscapes, grand ideas, or the process of restoration and renewal.

Idiomatic Usage:

The idiom "天网恢恢，疏而不漏" (The net of Heaven is vast, and nothing escapes it) is one of the most well-known expressions using "恢". It conveys the belief that justice will eventually prevail, even if it may seem slow or incomplete at times.

Cultural Symbolism:

In Chinese culture, the concept of restoration (恢复) is highly valued, whether it's restoring health, relationships, or historical artifacts. This reflects the cultural emphasis on harmony, balance, and the continuity of tradition.

7. Example Sentence

8. Memory Tips

1. Component Analysis: '恢' consists of '忄' (heart/mind) on the left and '灰' (ash) on the right. Imagine a heart/mind as vast as ash spreading out to help remember the meaning of vastness or extensiveness.
2. Sound Association: The pronunciation 'huī' sounds the same as "灰" (ash), which is part of the character. This can help with memorization.
3. Word Association: Associate with common words like '恢复' (to recover) and '恢弘' (vast) to reinforce its meaning and usage.
4. Idiom Memory: Learn the well-known idiom "天网恢恢，疏而不漏" to remember the character in a meaningful context.
5. Visual Imagery: Visualize a vast landscape or the process of something being restored to its original state to connect with the meanings of "恢".