归属

• Pinyin: guī shǔ
• Hanzi breakdown: 归 = return; 属 = 尸 + 禹 — to belong to, to be affiliated with

Meaning

To belong to; to be under the jurisdiction or ownership of. Also used as a noun meaning belonging, affiliation, or sense of identity.

Used both as a verb (归属于 — belongs to) and a noun (归属感 — sense of belonging). 归属感 is a widely used psychological and sociological term in modern Chinese. In legal contexts, it often addresses ownership or territorial rights.

Examples

1. 这片土地的归属问题在法庭上争议了多年。 The ownership of this land has been disputed in court for years.
2. 长期漂泊在外让他对所在城市缺乏归属感。 Living on the move for so long left him without a sense of belonging in the city where he lives.
3. 该资产的法律归属尚未得到最终裁定。 The asset’s legal ownership has not yet been finally determined.

Usage Guide

Context: legal, psychology, identity, politics

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 移民们经历了漫长的文化适应过程，才逐渐找到了归属感。(The immigrants went through a long process of cultural adaptation before gradually finding a sense of belonging.)
• 这批文物的归属问题至今仍是两国外交谈判的核心议题。(The question of ownership of these cultural relics remains a core issue in diplomatic negotiations between the two countries.)

Don't Say

• 这本书归属我的 — 归属 is formal and typically followed by 于; for simple possession say 这本书是我的 or 这本书属于我

Origin & History

归 (return/belong) + 属 (belong to/affiliate with). Together: to return to belonging — to be under the authority or ownership of a particular party.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal