折返 (zhé fǎn) — to turn back (midway), to retrace one's steps

Definition

A compound verb meaning to turn back partway and retrace one's route, rather than return to the start. Often used for a planned turnaround point (折返点) in routes, races, or hikes.

verb
to turn back (midway)to retrace one's steps

Examples

  • 折返,。
    Bǐ sài zhōng yǒu gè zhé fǎn diǎn, xuǎn shǒu xū yào zài nà lǐ diào tóu.
    There is a turn-back point in the race where contestants need to reverse direction.
  • 折返,。
    Tā zǒu dào bàn lù tū rán zhé fǎn, yīn wèi wàng le dài yào shi.
    He suddenly turned back halfway because he forgot to bring his keys.
  • 折返。
    Zhè tiáo zhé fǎn lù xiàn bǐ zhí jiē zǒu yuǎn le yí bèi.
    This detour route is twice as long as going straight.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

返fǎnreturn

折 means turn and 返 means return; together they describe turning back.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

  • 屮𣏄𣏄a tree {{zh-m|*木}} cut in half
  • 斤斤jīnaxe

The shape originally showed an axe (斤) cutting a tree in half; in 折 the left part is now written as a hand.

Open 折 →

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
辶Written in full as辵chuòmovement
Sound part声符shēngfú
反
反fǎn返fǎn
Same sound today

返 pairs 辶 (movement) with 反 (sound, with the sense of returning); the whole character originally meant coming back along the path one came from.

Open 返 →
Appears in

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