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回忆 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
回忆huíyìto recallHSK 4, v, rank #2105, Hard
回忆huíyìmemoriesHSK 4, v, rank #2105, Hard
回忆huíyì>个[gè]HSK 4, v, rank #2105, Hard
huíyì(hui2yi4) T2
  1. 1to recall
  2. 2memories
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March 24, 2026
回忆(回憶)huíyì(hui2yi4)

回忆 (huí yì) means 'to recall' or 'to reminisce.' It is often used when talking about memories from the past, whether they are happy or sad. This verb can be applied in both personal contexts, such as sharing fond memories with friends, and in more formal discussions about history or experiences.

Frequency#2105DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, memories play a significant role in family gatherings, especially during festivals like the Mid-Autumn Festival, where families share stories from the past. 回忆 embodies the value placed on honoring and reflecting on family history.

Memory Tip

Imagine a person turning back time (回) to gather (忆) all their favorite memories like precious treasures. The character 回 looks like a person turning back towards their past, while 忆 combines the idea of thought (意) with memory.

Meanings of 回忆

huíyì(hui2yi4)
1to recall
2memories
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 回忆

回忆Simplified
回憶Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#2105Frequency Rank
个Measure Word
HSK 2.0L4HSK 3.0L4IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2

Podcast: 回忆

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Podcast: 回忆

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AI Study Notes for 回忆

Quick Contrast

怀念 (huáiniàn) is more about longing for the past, while 回忆 (huíyì) focuses on the act of recalling memories.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a person turning back time (回) to gather (忆) all their favorite memories like precious treasures. The character 回 looks like a person turning back towards their past, while 忆 combines the idea of thought (意) with memory.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 回忆 with 记得 (jì dé), which means 'to remember.' 回忆 is often more reflective and can imply a deeper emotional connection. It is commonly used in both spoken and written forms, but may carry a more formal tone depending on context.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 4 word, 回忆 connects to other vocabulary related to emotions and experiences. Focus on using it in sentences that describe past events or feelings, and practice its collocations with words like '过去' (past) or '故事' (stories).

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, memories play a significant role in family gatherings, especially during festivals like the Mid-Autumn Festival, where families share stories from the past. 回忆 embodies the value placed on honoring and reflecting on family history.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 回忆 with 忘记 (wàng jì), which means 'to forget.' A common mistake is saying '我回忆我忘记' (I recall I forgot) instead of '我回忆我曾经记得' (I recall I once remembered).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 回忆

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Component Characters

回huíto circle
HSK 16 strokes囗
View full entry
忆yìto recollect
HSK 44 strokes忄
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Write 回忆

回
忆

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

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Grammar Patterns of 回忆

回忆 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Related grammar lessons2
Exercise 1 of 1

Complete the Sentence

我不禁____起第一次跟她见面的场景。

I couldn't help recalling the scene of our first meeting.

Example Sentences for 回忆 (14)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
vto recall12
1
我试着回忆在这里度过的所有美好时光。

wǒ shì zháo huí yì zài zhè lǐ dù guò de suǒ yǒu měi hǎo shí guāng。

I try to remember all the good times I've had here.
2
如果你读过我早期的回忆录，就全都明白了。

rú guǒ nǐ dú guò wǒ zǎo qī de huí yì lù， ， jiù quán dū míng bái。

If you've read my earlier memoirs you'll know all about it.
3
他的受审重新勾起了在战争中受苦受难的法国人民的回忆。

tā de shòu shěn zhòng xīn gōu qǐ le zài zhàn zhēng zhōng shòu kǔ shòu nán de fǎ guó rén mín de huí yì。

His trial revived memories of French suffering during the war.
4
她的故事让人清晰地回忆起意大利的乡村生活。

tā de gù shì ràng rén qīng xī dì huí yì qǐ yì dà lì de xiāng cūn shēng huó。

Her story is sharply evocative of Italian provincial life.
5
她的老师回忆说：“她那时老是说要当模特。”

tā de lǎo shī huí yì shuō：“ ：“ tā nà shí lǎo shì shuō yào dāng mó。”

Her teacher recalled: "She was always on about modelling."
6
我不再去回忆那些痛苦不堪的往事了。

wǒ bù zài qù huí yì nà xiē tòng kǔ bù kān de wǎng shì le。

I shut out the memory which was too painful to dwell on.
7
这次胜利勾起了他对往昔那些夺冠岁月的美好回忆。

zhè cì shèng lì gōu qǐ le tā duì wǎng xī nà xiē duó guān suì yuè de měi hǎo huí yì。

The win revived glorious memories of his championship-winning days.
8
在我对学校午餐的回忆中，印象最深刻的就是蔬菜总是炒过头。

zài wǒ duì xué xiào wǔ cān de huí yì zhōng， ， yìn xiàng zuì shēn kè de jiù shì shū cài zǒng shì chǎo guò。

Overcooked greens are my most vivid recollection of school dinners.
9
雷和我吃着饭，回忆起那次旅行。

léi hé wǒ chī zháo fàn， ， huí yì qǐ nà cì lǚ。

Ray and I ate our meal and reminisced about the trip.
10
我妈妈在呵护下长大，对童年有着非常美好的回忆。

wǒ mā mā zài hē hù xià cháng dà， ， duì tóng nián yǒu zháo fēi cháng měi hǎo de huí。

My mother, who had a sheltered upbringing, has fantastic memories of childhood.
11
每当听到这首歌，我总是情不自禁地回忆起大学时的朋友们。

Měi dāng tīng dào zhè shǒu gē, wǒ zǒng shì qíng bù zì jīn de huíyì qǐ dàxué shí de péngyǒumen.

Whenever I hear this song, I can't help but recall my friends from university.
12
在深夜，他常常坐在阳台上回忆那些逝去的岁月。

Zài shēnyè, tā chángcháng zuò zài yángtái shàng huíyì nàxiē shìqù de suìyuè.

In the late night, he often sits on the balcony recalling those bygone years.
vmemories2
13
每次看到这张照片，我都会回忆起我们一起度过的快乐时光。

Měi cì kàn dào zhè zhāng zhàopiàn, wǒ dūhuì huíyì qǐ wǒmen yīqǐ dùguò de kuàilè shíguāng.

Every time I see this photo, I recall the happy times we spent together.
14
他喜欢在周末回忆过去的旅行经历。

Tā xǐhuān zài zhōumò huíyì guòqù de lǚxíng jīnglì.

He likes to reminisce about past travel experiences on weekends.

Cultural Notes for 回忆

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, memories play a significant role in family gatherings, especially during festivals like the Mid-Autumn Festival, where families share stories from the past. 回忆 embodies the value placed on honoring and reflecting on family history.

Frequently Asked Questions about 回忆

You can say '我常常回忆我的童年' (I often recall my childhood).