p8nda
p8nda BETA
Home Dictionary Translate Flashcards Sign in

海归

海歸
hǎiguī
noun

Meanings

  1. 1 returnee from overseas study or work
  2. 2 overseas-educated professional

Examples

HSK 4
很多海归选择回国创业。
Hěnduō hǎiguī xuǎnzé huíguó chuàngyè.
Many returnees choose to come back and start businesses.
HSK 5
他是从英国回来的海归博士。
Tā shì cóng Yīngguó huílái de hǎiguī bóshì.
He is a returnee PhD from the UK.
HSK 6
这家公司专门招聘海归人才。
Zhè jiā gōngsī zhuānmén zhāopìn hǎiguī réncái.
This company specifically recruits overseas-educated talent.

Tips

culture
A pun on 海龟 (sea turtle - same pronunciation). Emerged in the 1990s when reform-era graduates began returning from the US/UK/Japan. In the 2000s 海归 commanded a premium in the job market; by the 2020s the label has lost some shine, sometimes contrasted with 海待 (sea turtle still waiting for a job).
memory
海 (sea) + 归 (return) - literally 'returning from across the sea'. The sea turtle pun is so well-known that 海龟 is now common shorthand for 海归 in casual writing.

Stroke Order

海 hǎi
归 guī