Chinese Conversation · Level 60
90 words
Chinese word
归还
Pronunciation
Pinyinguī huán
Meaning
- verbreturn
Example
请把借的钱归还给他。qǐng bǎ jiè de qián guī huán gěi tā
Please return the money you borrowed to him.
More examples
租车到期请按时把车归还。zū chē dào qī qǐng àn shí bǎ chē guī huán
Please return the car on time when the rental period ends.
Core concept
A temporarily held thing goes back to its owner or to the place where it belongs.
Common phrases
归还原物guī huán yuán wù
return the original item
归还证件guī huán zhèng jiàn
return the identification documents
归还车辆guī huán chē liàng
return the vehicle
Similar words
还hái: Give back something borrowed, such as money or a book, in ordinary conversation.
退还tuì huán: Give a purchased item or borrowed item back, especially for a return or refund.
返还fǎn huán: Give property or money back to its rightful owner in official documents.
交还jiāo huán: Pass an item back to its owner as part of an official handover.
Definition in Chinese
将原先属于他人或暂时占有的物品、资金等送回给原所有者，或放回原位。jiāng yuán xiān shǔ yú tā rén huò zàn shí zhàn yǒu de wù pǐn zī jīn děng sòng huí gěi yuán suó yóu zhě huò fàng huí yuán wèi
Word origin
归 (guī, "return") + 还 (huán, "give back") combine to express sending something back to its owner or original place.
Usage tips
- Everyday speakers often choose 还 (huán, "give back") for borrowed books or money, while the longer compound appears more often in formal notices and written language.
Opposites
- 占为己有zhàn wèi jí yǒukeep for oneselfverb
- 拒付jù fùrefuse to payverb
Related words
- 归还款guī huán kuǎnrepaymentnoun
- 归还物guī huán wùreturned itemnoun