Definition
返乡 is a separable verb-object compound (离合词) meaning 'to return to your hometown' — often used when someone has been away for work or study. The verb 返 and the object 乡 can split: you can insert aspect markers like 了/过, measure words like 次/趟, or modifiers between them (e.g. 返了乡 'returned to hometown,' 返过两次乡 'have returned twice to one's hometown'). It's especially common in contexts like the Spring Festival travel rush (春运返乡).
v.o.
to return to one's hometown (after a period away, often for work or study)
Examples
- 返乡。Měinián Chūnjié dōu yǒu hěnduō rén fǎn xiāng.Every Spring Festival, many people return to their hometowns.
- ，。Tā qùnián fǎn guò yí cì xiāng, jīnnián bù dǎsuàn huíqù le.He returned to his hometown once last year and doesn't plan to go back this year.
- 返乡。Zhè cì fǎn xiāng ràng wǒ xiǎng qǐ le xiǎo shíhou de hěnduō shì.This return to my hometown reminded me of many things from my childhood.
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