回复

• Pinyin: huí fù
• Hanzi breakdown: 回 = 囗 (enclosure) with an inner swirl — the idea of going back or returning; 复 = 彳 (step) + 复 — to go back and repeat

Meaning

To reply; to respond; a response. The act of answering a message, email, or inquiry.

Extremely common in the digital age for replying to messages, emails, and comments. Common collocations include 回复消息 (reply to a message), 回复邮件 (reply to an email), and 自动回复 (auto-reply). Can be used as both a verb and a noun. Slightly more formal than 回 alone.

Examples

1. 他还没有回复我的消息。 He still hasn't replied to my message.
2. 请尽快回复这封邮件。 Please reply to this email as soon as possible.
3. 我看到了你的回复，谢谢你。 I saw your reply; thank you.

Usage Guide

Context: communication, digital, work

Tone: practical

Do Say

• 你回复他了吗？(Did you reply to him?)
• 我会尽快给你回复。(I will reply to you as soon as possible.)

Don't Say

• 我回复了他的脸 (Don't use 回复 for face-to-face responses — use 回答; 回复 is primarily for written or digital replies)

Origin & History

回 (huí, to return) + 复 (fù, to repeat/reply) — to return a reply, meaning to respond to communication.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal