奉还 (fèng huán) — to return something respectfully (formal, often written)

Definition

A formal, written verb meaning 'to return respectfully' — emphasizes deference toward the recipient. It is more honorific than 归还, which is the plain 'return' used in everyday contexts.

verb
to return something respectfully (formal, often written)

Examples

  • 奉还，。
    Wǒ jiāng zhè běn shū fèng huán gěi nín, qǐng shōu xià.
    I respectfully return this book to you; please accept it.
  • 奉还，。
    Suǒ jiè zī liào yǐ rú shù fèng huán, jìng qǐng chá shōu.
    The borrowed materials have been returned in full; please kindly check and accept.
  • ，奉还。
    Nín de bāng zhù wǒ men míng jì zài xīn, tè cǐ fèng huán chéng yì.
    We will remember your help in our hearts; we hereby respectfully return your sincerity.

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.

奉fèngrespectfully
还háireturn

'奉' (respectfully) and '还' (return) combine to mean returning something politely.

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.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
廾廾gǒngtwo hands
Sound part声符shēngfú
丰
丰fēng奉fèng
Same sound today

奉 pairs 丰 for the pronunciation with 廾, 'two hands', as the meaning part.

Open 奉 →

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 還; 还 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
辵辵chuòwalk
Sound part声符shēngfú
睘
睘qióng還hái
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 還 pairs 辵 (walk) with 睘 as a sound part for 'go back; return'; the simplified 还 is a shorthand, and its parts are not the historical components.

Open 还 →

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