归来

歸來

guīlái

verb HSK 7-9 #7,023

Meanings

1 to return; to come back

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

HSK 3

游子终于归来了。

Yóu zǐ zhōngyú guīlái le.

The wanderer has finally returned.

HSK 7-9

英雄归来，全城欢呼。

Yīngxióng guīlái, quánchéng huānhū.

The hero returned, and the whole city cheered.

Tips

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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