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復 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
復fùagain, repeatedly; copy, duplicate; to restore, to returnzg, 12 strokes, radical 彳, rank #82201, Very Hard
fù(fu4) T4
  1. 1again, repeatedly; copy, duplicate; to restore, to return
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

復fù(fu4)

The character 復 (fù) primarily means 'again' or 'repeatedly' and can also denote 'to restore' or 'to return.' It is commonly used in contexts involving repetition, such as '復習' (fùxí), meaning 'to review' or 'to study again.' Its nuance encompasses both the idea of returning to a previous state and the act of duplicating something.

Strokes12Radical彳Frequency#82201DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of returning or restoring is often tied to traditional practices such as '復古' (fùgǔ), meaning 'to return to ancient ways,' reflecting a cultural appreciation for heritage and history.

Memory Tip

Imagine the character 復 as a person (the left radical '彳' suggests walking) who walks back (the right radical '复' suggests 'return') to a familiar place. Picture them carrying a copy of a map to guide them back. This visual aids in remembering both the meaning of returning and the pronunciation 'fù.'

Meanings of 復

fù(fu4)
1again, repeatedly; copy, duplicate; to restore, to return
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 復

復Simplified
12Strokes
彳Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 復

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Podcast: 復

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AI Study Notes for 復

Quick Contrast

重 (chóng) vs 復 (fù): use 復 when emphasizing the idea of returning to a previous state or repeating an action, while 重 focuses on the idea of repetition or doing something again without the connotation of restoration.

Usage Notes

A common mistake is confusing 復 with 返 (fǎn), which also means 'to return,' but 復 emphasizes repetition or restoration. It is used in both formal and informal contexts, so learners should be aware of the nuances depending on the situation. Be careful with the pronunciation, ensuring the fourth tone is used correctly.

HSK Study Tips

Although 復 is not in the HSK vocabulary lists, it shares relevance with other HSK words that involve repetition or restoration, like '再' (zài) meaning 'again.' Focus on its context in phrases to reinforce understanding and usage.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mispronounce 復 as 'fú' instead of 'fù.' Additionally, some may incorrectly use it in place of '再' (zài) when they mean 'again,' which can alter the intended meaning.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 復

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Etymology of 復

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Explanation

Pictograph of a foot going toward a house, representing the meaning "to return home".

Memory Hint

Older form of 复; see that character for the etymology

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 復

Pictograph of a foot going toward a house, representing the meaning "to return home".

  1. 1The giveawayOlder form of 复; see that character for the etymology
  2. 2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 復? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.

Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 復?

Decomposition of 復

IDS Structure⿰彳复
復Full Character
=
彳chi4
left
复fu4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 復?

How to say again, repeatedly; copy, duplicate; to restore, to return in Chinese

“again, repeatedly; copy, duplicate; to restore, to return” in Chinese is復fù

The character 復 (fù) primarily means 'again' or 'repeatedly' and can also denote 'to restore' or 'to return.' It is commonly used in contexts involving repetition, such as '復習' (fùxí), meaning 'to review' or 'to study again.' Its nuance encompasses both the idea of returning to a previous state and the act of duplicating something.

When to use 復

A common mistake is confusing 復 with 返 (fǎn), which also means 'to return,' but 復 emphasizes repetition or restoration. It is used in both formal and informal contexts, so learners should be aware of the nuances depending on the situation. Be careful with the pronunciation, ensuring the fourth tone is used correctly.

復 or something close to it

重 (chóng) vs 復 (fù): use 復 when emphasizing the idea of returning to a previous state or repeating an action, while 重 focuses on the idea of repetition or doing something again without the connotation of restoration.

What learners get wrong

Learners often mispronounce 復 as 'fú' instead of 'fù.' Additionally, some may incorrectly use it in place of '再' (zài) when they mean 'again,' which can alter the intended meaning.

Write 復

復

Practice writing 復 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Word Family of 復

Words Containing This Character20
恢复huīfùto reinstate恢復
回复huífùto reply回復
复杂fùzácomplicated複雜
重复chóngfùto repeat重複
报复bàofùrevenge報復
复fùto return復
反复fǎnfùrepeatedly反覆
康复kāngfùto recuperate康復
复仇to avenge復仇
复制fùzhìto duplicate複製
修复xiūfùto restore修復
复活fùhuóresurrection復活
答复dáfùto answer答覆
复习fùxíto review復習
复合fùhécomplex複合
复发fùfāto reappear復發
复苏fùsūanabiosis復蘇
复古to turn back the clock復古
复原fùyuánrecovery復原
复活节Easter復活節
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 恢复 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 復

You can use 復 in phrases like '復習功課' (fùxí gōngkè) which means 'to review homework.'

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