退回

• Pinyin: tuì huí
• Hanzi breakdown: 退 = 辶 (walk) + 艮 (stop) — stopping and going back; 回 = pictograph of a spiral, suggesting return

Meaning

To return; to send back; to go back. Returning an object to its original owner or place, or withdrawing to a previous position.

Used both physically (returning goods, a document) and abstractly (reverting to a previous state). In bureaucratic contexts, 退回 means a document has been rejected and sent back for revision. In commercial contexts, it means returning merchandise. Can also describe a person or army withdrawing to a former position.

Examples

1. 这批质量不合格的产品已全部退回供应商。 The entire batch of substandard products has been returned to the supplier.
2. 申请材料不完整，被主管部门退回补充。 The application materials were incomplete and were sent back by the relevant authority for supplementation.
3. 谈判破裂后，双方军队各自退回原来的阵地。 After negotiations broke down, both sides' armies withdrew to their original positions.

Usage Guide

Context: commerce, bureaucratic, military, everyday

Tone: matter-of-fact

Do Say

• 收到货物后发现有损坏，我们立即办理了退回手续。(Upon receiving the goods and discovering damage, we immediately processed the return.)
• 这份报告格式不对，需要退回修改。(This report's format is incorrect and needs to be sent back for revision.)

Don't Say

• 把退回当作退款 (退回 means sending back an object; for a refund of money use 退款)

Origin & History

Compound of 退 (retreat, return) + 回 (back, return). Both characters reinforce the meaning of returning or going back.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal