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来回 (lái huí) — (verb) to go back and forth; to make a round trip; (noun) round trip; return journey; (adverb) back and forth; to and fro; repeatedly

Definition

来回 covers all three senses (verb, noun, adverb) of 'back and forth / round trip / repeatedly.' 往返 is a close verb synonym for round trips, while 反复 focuses on repeated action over time.

verb
to go back and forthto make a round trip
noun
round tripreturn journey
adverb
back and forthto and frorepeatedly

Examples

  • 来回。
    Tā měi tiān zài gōng sī hé xiǎo diàn zhī jiān lái huí pǎo.
    He runs back and forth between the company and the small shop every day.
  • 来回。
    Cóng běi jīng dào shàng hǎi de lái huí xū yào wǔ gè xiǎo shí.
    The round trip from Beijing to Shanghai takes five hours.
  • 来回，。
    Tā lái huí dì yáo tóu, biǎo shì bù tóng yì.
    He shook his head back and forth, indicating disagreement.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

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

来láicome
回huíreturn

“来” and “回” name opposite directions of movement, together giving the idea of going and coming repeatedly.

Characters in this word

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 來; 来 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 來 shows a wheat plant: a central ear, upward leaves, and downward stem and roots. The simplified 来 is a later shorthand.

Open 来 →

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 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9Directions

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