Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
挽回 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
挽回wǎnhuíto retrieveHSK 7, v, rank #5883, Hard
挽回wǎnhuíto redeemHSK 7, v, rank #5883, Hard
wǎnhuí(wan3hui2) T3
  1. 1to retrieve
  2. 2to redeem
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
挽回wǎnhuí(wan3hui2)

The verb 挽回 (wǎn huí) means to retrieve or redeem something, often in the context of restoring a lost situation, relationship, or reputation. It conveys a sense of effort and intention to correct a mistake or regain something valuable, such as trust or respect.

Frequency#5883DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In contemporary Chinese society, the concept of '挽回' is prevalent in discussions about personal relationships, especially after conflicts. The importance placed on maintaining harmony in relationships makes the act of 'retrieving' a lost connection significant.

Memory Tip

Imagine a person reaching out with their hands (the character 挽 means 'to pull back' or 'to retrieve') trying to pull back a lost opportunity. The sound 'wan' can remind you of 'wanting' to reclaim something that was lost, while 'hui' suggests a return to a previous state.

Meanings of 挽回

wǎnhuí(wan3hui2)
1to retrieve
2to redeem
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 挽回

挽回Simplified
Strokes
Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#5883Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 挽回

JasonAmy

Podcast: 挽回

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 挽回

Quick Contrast

挽救 (wǎn jiù) — use 挽回 when emphasizing the act of retrieving or restoring something lost, while 挽救 focuses more on rescuing or saving from danger.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a person reaching out with their hands (the character 挽 means 'to pull back' or 'to retrieve') trying to pull back a lost opportunity. The sound 'wan' can remind you of 'wanting' to reclaim something that was lost, while 'hui' suggests a return to a previous state.

Usage Notes

This term is often used in more serious contexts, such as relationships or reputational issues, and may not fit in casual conversations. Be cautious with its usage in informal settings, as it can imply a significant emotional weight. The common collocation is with '关系' (relationship) as in '挽回关系'.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 6 word, 挽回 is a good example of verbs that express complex actions. Students should focus on its nuances and how it can be paired with other phrases to convey specific meanings, particularly in discussions about conflict resolution or personal growth.

Cultural Note

In contemporary Chinese society, the concept of '挽回' is prevalent in discussions about personal relationships, especially after conflicts. The importance placed on maintaining harmony in relationships makes the act of 'retrieving' a lost connection significant.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 挽回 with other similar verbs like 修复 (xiū fù, to repair), leading to phrases like '我想修复我的关系' (I want to repair my relationship) which lacks the nuance of actively retrieving something lost. The correction would be to use '挽回' instead for emotional contexts.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 挽回

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 挽回 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Component Characters

wǎnto pull
HSK 710 strokes
View full entry
huíto circle
HSK 16 strokes
View full entry

Write 挽回

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 挽回

挽回 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 2 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.

Exercise 1 of 5

Complete the Sentence

我们当然想为英国网球____一些尊严。

We definitely wanted to salvage some pride for British tennis.

Example Sentences for 挽回 (4)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
我们当然想为英国网球挽回一些尊严。

wǒ mén dāng rán xiǎng wéi yīng guó wǎng qiú wǎn huí yī xiē zūn yán。

We definitely wanted to salvage some pride for British tennis.
2
他是唯一能挽回局面的人。

tā shì wéi yī néng wǎn huí jú miàn de rén。

He is the one man who could retrieve that situation.
3
戴维斯必须得挽回他的自尊。

dài wéi sī bì xū dé wǎn huí tā de zì zūn。

Davis had to salvage his pride.
4
这批家伙以前做得实在太“妙”了,以致现在不及挽回了.

zhè pī jiā huǒ yǐ qián zuò dé shí zài tài“ “” miào, ” le , yǐ zhì xiàn zài bù jí.

They had done their work too well and little time to reverse it.

Cultural Notes for 挽回

🏮Cultural insight

In contemporary Chinese society, the concept of '挽回' is prevalent in discussions about personal relationships, especially after conflicts. The importance placed on maintaining harmony in relationships makes the act of 'retrieving' a lost connection significant.

Frequently Asked Questions about 挽回

Yes, 挽回 can be used in the context of friendships, indicating efforts to mend a friendship after a fallout.