归来

guī lái

HSK 3.0 Level 7 Verb Uncommon

Definitions

1 item

to return; to come back

归来 is the formal/literary counterpart of the everyday 回来.

1 item

to return to

返回 is used for returning from a journey or trip, often more formal.

1 item

to return; to come back

Both mean to come back, but 归来 is more literary or formal.

Do not use 归来 for returning objects; it implies a person or entity returning, often with a sense of homecoming.

归来 is a formal/literary term; in everyday speech, use 回来 instead.

1 shown

他离家多年，今日终于归来。

After many years away from home, he finally returns today.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

to come

to return