归来

歸來

guīlái

verb HSK 7-9 #7,023

Meanings

1 to return; to come back (literary)

Characters

to return; to go back

Literally 'return and come.' More literary and poetic than 回来 (huílái). Often used in titles, headlines, and elevated prose.

Examples

英雄归来，全城欢呼。

Yīngxióng guīlái, quánchéng huānhū.

The hero returned, and the whole city cheered.

游子终于归来了。

Yóu zǐ zhōngyú guīlái le.

The wanderer has finally returned.

Tips

register

归来 is literary/poetic; 回来 is everyday spoken Chinese. You'd say 我回来了 (I'm back!) when you get home, but a movie title or poem would use 归来 for its elevated, dramatic feel.

In Pop Culture

归来 Guīlái

Coming Home

2014 Zhang Yimou film about a political prisoner's return

Stroke Order

归 guī

来 lái