回望 (huí wàng) — to look back (physically, at someone or something behind); to reflect on (the past), to look back in time

Definition

A literary verb for 'to look back' in two senses: physically turning to see what is behind, or figuratively reflecting on the past. Stronger and more written than the plain 回忆.

verb
to look back (physically, at someone or something behind)to reflect on (the past)to look back in time

Examples

  • 回望，。
    Tā huí wàng le yí xià shēn hòu, què rèn méi yǒu rén gēn zōng.
    He looked back behind him to confirm no one was following.
  • 回望，。
    huí wàng Wǎng shì, tā bù jīn gǎn kǎi wàn qiān.
    Looking back on the past, he couldn't help but feel a myriad of emotions.
  • 回望，。
    Tā huí wàng le yì yǎn, zhèng hǎo duì shàng tā de mù guāng.
    She glanced back and happened to meet his gaze.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

回huíback
望wànglook

回 points backward and 望 means look; together they describe looking behind or reflecting on the past.

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 →

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

  • 臣臣chéneye
  • 𡈼𡈼𡈼person standing on the ground

望 originally showed 臣 (eye) beside 𡈼 (person standing on the ground): a person standing up and looking off into the distance. Later 月 was added, and the 臣 part became 亡.

Open 望 →

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.