回首

huíshǒu

verb HSK 7 #15,753

Meanings

1 to look back; to reflect on the past

Characters

to return; back

Literally 'turn one's head back' — looking over your shoulder at where you've been.

Examples

回首过去，他感慨万千。

Huíshǒu guòqù, tā gǎnkǎi wànqiān.

Looking back on the past, he was filled with emotion.

蓦然回首，那人却在灯火阑珊处。

Mòrán huíshǒu, nà rén què zài dēnghuǒ lánshān chù.

Suddenly looking back, that person was there among the dim lantern lights.

Tips

culture

The example 蓦然回首，那人却在灯火阑珊处 is from the famous Song dynasty poem by Xin Qiji (辛弃疾). It's one of the most quoted lines in Chinese literature — describing looking everywhere for someone only to find them right behind you. It's used metaphorically for any moment of sudden, unexpected discovery.

Stroke Order

回 huí

首 shǒu