回信 (huí xìn) — to reply (by letter), to write back; a reply le… | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

回信 is specifically a written letter reply, used as both a verb ('write back') and a noun ('reply letter', measured in 封). Prefer 回答 for spoken answers; 答复 and 回应 are more formal/official.

to reply (by letter)to write backa reply letter

Measure word · 封

Examples

回信。
Wǒ zuó tiān gěi péng you huí xìn le.
I replied to my friend yesterday.
回信。
Zhè fēng huí xìn xiě dé hěn rèn zhēn.
This reply letter is written very carefully.
回信？
Nǐ shén me shí hou huí xìn gěi tā?
When will you write back to him?

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

回 means to reply and 信 means letter; together they describe replying to a letter or the letter sent back.

Characters in this word

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

回 comes from a drawing of a spiral, showing something turning around.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

言言yánwords

Sound part声符shēngfú

人

人rén信xìn

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

信 pairs 人 as the sound part with 言 (words) as the meaning part.

Appears in

HSK 3.0 Level 4 Mail & Messaging

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