归还

歸還

guīhuán

verb HSK 7 #8,504

Meanings

1 to return (something); to give back

Characters

to return; to give back

Both characters mean 'to return' — doubling for emphasis. 归还 is more formal than just 还 (huán).

Examples

请按时归还图书。

Qǐng ànshí guīhuán túshū.

Please return the books on time.

被盗的文物终于归还了。

Bèi dào de wénwù zhōngyú guīhuán le.

The stolen artifacts were finally returned.

Tips

register

归还 is formal — used for library books, official property, diplomatic contexts. In casual speech, just use 还 (huán): 把书还给我 (give me back the book). 归还 in conversation sounds stiff, like saying 'relinquish' instead of 'give back.'

Stroke Order

归 guī

还 hái