回身 (huí shēn) — to turn around (one's body)

Definition

A literary verb meaning 'to turn one's body around.' Same action as 转身, but 回身 reads as more written and narrative.

verb
to turn around (one's body)

Examples

  • ，。
    Tā huí le shēn, kàn jiàn le wǒ.
    He turned around and saw me.
  • 回身，。
    Tā tū rán huí shēn, xià le wǒ yí tiào.
    She suddenly turned around and startled me.
  • ，回身。
    Tīng dào shēng yīn, tā lì kè huí shēn.
    Hearing the sound, he immediately turned around.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

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

回huíturn
身shēnbody

回身 is 回 (turn) acting on 身 (body), meaning to turn one's body.

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.

Open 回 →

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

The shape of 身 comes from a drawing of a pregnant woman.

Open 身 →

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