还

• Pinyin: huán
• Hanzi breakdown: 还 = 辶 (movement) + simplified right component — same character as 还 (hái) but pronounced huán meaning 'to return'

Meaning

To return; to give back. Used when returning borrowed items or repaying debts.

Pronounced huán (not hái), this is the verb meaning to return something. Used with objects: 还书 (return a book), 还钱 (repay money). Different from 回 (to go back to a place). The same character as 还 (hái, still/also) but with a different pronunciation and meaning.

Examples

1. 我要去图书馆还书。 I need to go to the library to return books.
2. 他还没还我的钱。 He still hasn't returned my money.
3. 请把这本书还给老师。 Please return this book to the teacher.

Usage Guide

Context: library, money, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 我明天还你的书。(I'll return your book tomorrow.)
• 这个钱我一定会还。(I will definitely pay this money back.)

Don't Say

• 我还回学校了。(Confusing — for returning to school, say 我回学校了; 还 (huán) is for returning objects)

Origin & History

The character 还 (traditional: 還) contains 辶 (movement radical), suggesting the action of returning or sending something back to its origin.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal