返 fǎn to restore
to restore; to return; to revert to
怎么记住“返”: 辶 walking + 反 oppose = to restore. The hikers oppose their guide's shortcut, and when night falls after hours of walking on the mountain they decide to restore the old plan.
部件结构
形声 · Meaning + sound
One part gives the meaning, the other gives the sound.
返 = 辶 walking + 反 oppose
- 辶 walking meaning
- 反 oppose meaning + sound
- 𠂆 factory
- 又 again
The hikers oppose their guide's shortcut, and when night falls after hours of walking on the mountain they decide to restore the old plan.
How it came to be
The Chu form already shows walking with the sign for turning back: walking gives the meaning, that sign both sound and sense.
用法
- To return/go back. 返回 (fǎnhuí) to return (to a place): 返回起点 (fǎnhuí qǐdiǎn) go back to the start.
- 往返 (wǎngfǎn) = round trip (there and back): 往返机票 (wǎngfǎn jīpiào) round-trip ticket.
- 返 vs 回 (huí): 返 is more formal; 回 is everyday 'come/go back'. 返还 (fǎnhuán) to give back (money, property).