回
Hui ethnic group (Chinese Muslims); to go back; to return; to turn back; to turn around; to reply; to answer; to curve; to return; to revolve
Closest English meanings
return·turn·answer
The Calligrapher — Sū Língzhī 苏灵芝
Tang running-script master and prolific stele-writer, ranked with Li Yong and Yan Zhenqing.
Tang calligrapher (), master of running script — known for 《易州铁像颂》. Tang dynasty
Cultural Story
In the Book of Han, envoys 回 from the Western Regions bearing grape vines and tales of Ferghana horses. The Tang poet Li Bai wrote of 回头 seeing the moon and thinking of home. The character doubles as a door swinging shut and open again — motion that always implies a place left and a place to 回.
Common words & phrases
- 回答 answer · reply
- 回家 go home · return home
- 回忆 recollection · memory
- 回头 turn around · look back
- 回到 return to
- 回复 reply · restore
Read the story behind the character
A teenager 回答 the teacher's question without looking up from the phone. The navigation app says 回 home in twelve minutes. Grandmother 回忆 the old courtyard while scrolling photos. The group chat pings 回复 within seconds — a small loop of words closing and opening all evening.
Own this character
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