缩回 (suō huí) — to draw back, to flinch, to recoil

Definition

Verb meaning to pull something back or pull back oneself in fear or hesitation. The note in the system message has an oddity worth flagging.

verb

to draw backto flinchto recoil

缩回。
Tā xià dé suō huí le shǒu.
He was so scared he drew back his hand.
，缩回。
Kàn dào shé, tā lì kè suō huí le.
Seeing the snake, she immediately recoiled.
缩回。
Tā yù dào kùn nan cóng bù suō huí.
He never flinches when facing difficulties.

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

补充bǔchōngVerb + complement

An action followed by its result or direction.

缩suōcontract

“缩” (contract) and “回” (back) combine to mean pulling back or recoiling.

Characters in this word

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 縮; 缩 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

糸糸mìstring, thread

Sound part声符shēngfú

宿

宿sù縮suō

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

The traditional form 縮 pairs 糸 (string, thread) with 宿, which gives the sound; the simplified 缩 is a shorthand.

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.