====== shōuhuí: 收回 - Take back, Withdraw, Retract ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  * **Keywords:** shouhui, shōuhuí, 收回, take back Chinese, withdraw statement Chinese, retract an offer Chinese, recall a product Chinese, regain control Chinese, Chinese verb for take back, revoke permission
  * **Summary:** Learn the versatile Chinese verb **收回 (shōuhuí)**, which means "to take back," "withdraw," or "retract." This essential HSK 5 term is used for everything from taking back a physical object you lent out, to recalling a defective product, retracting a statement made in error, or even revoking an official order. This guide will break down its meaning, cultural context, and practical usage with plenty of example sentences.
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** shōuhuí
  * **Part of Speech:** Verb
  * **HSK Level:** HSK 5
  * **Concise Definition:** To take something back, withdraw, retract, or recall.
  * **In a Nutshell:** **收回 (shōuhuí)** is the action of reversing a previous act of giving, sending, or stating something. It's about bringing an item, a statement, or a right back to its original owner or source. Think of it as pulling something back that you previously put out there.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **收 (shōu):** This character means "to receive," "to collect," or "to gather in." It depicts the action of bringing things together or taking something into one's possession.
  * **回 (huí):** This character means "to return" or "to go back." The character's shape, a spiral or box-within-a-box, visually suggests returning to a central point or origin.
  * When combined, **收回 (shōuhuí)** literally means "to collect back" or "to receive and return," perfectly capturing the idea of taking something back that was previously given out.
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
While **收回 (shōuhuí)** is a practical verb, its usage, especially when retracting words or decisions, touches upon important Chinese cultural concepts like "face" ([[面子]], miànzi). In Western culture, saying "I take that back" can sometimes be casual. However, formally having to **收回** a statement or an offer in China is a significant event.
It implies a mistake was made, which can cause both the speaker and the listener to lose face. Therefore, the act of **收回** is often done carefully and with explanation. It's not the casual "take-backsies" of a playground game; it's a formal course correction. This reflects the weight and seriousness attributed to one's words and commitments in a social or professional setting.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
**收回 (shōuhuí)** is a common and useful word with a generally neutral to formal tone. Its meaning shifts slightly depending on the context.
==== Taking Back Physical Objects ====
This is the most literal usage. It's used when a company recalls a product or when you want to take back something you've lent to someone.
==== Withdrawing Words, Offers, or Decisions ====
This is an extremely common usage in business, politics, and daily life. You can **收回** a comment, a promise, an offer, or an order. This is more formal than simply changing your mind.
==== Regaining Abstract Things ====
In more formal or official contexts, **收回** can be used for regaining abstract concepts like rights, control, or authority. For example, a government might **收回** land rights or a company might **收回** a subsidiary's autonomy.
===== Example Sentences =====
  * **Example 1:**
    * 我想**收回**我借给你的那本书。
    * Pinyin: Wǒ xiǎng **shōuhuí** wǒ jiè gěi nǐ de nà běn shū.
    * English: I'd like to take back the book I lent you.
    * Analysis: A straightforward example of taking back a physical object. The speaker is the owner requesting its return.
  * **Example 2:**
    * 他意识到自己说错了，立刻**收回**了刚才的言论。
    * Pinyin: Tā yìshí dào zìjǐ shuō cuò le, lìkè **shōuhuí**le gāngcái de yánlùn.
    * English: He realized he had misspoken and immediately retracted his earlier comments.
    * Analysis: This shows the common usage of retracting words or a statement.
  * **Example 3:**
    * 由于存在安全隐患，公司决定**收回**所有该型号的汽车。
    * Pinyin: Yóuyú cúnzài ānquán yǐnhuàn, gōngsī juédìng **shōuhuí** suǒyǒu gāi xínghào de qìchē.
    * English: Due to a safety hazard, the company decided to recall all cars of this model.
    * Analysis: A classic business/news example of a product recall.
  * **Example 4:**
    * 考虑到市场变化，我们不得不**收回**最初的报价。
    * Pinyin: Kǎolǜ dào shìchǎng biànhuà, wǒmen bùdébù **shōuhuí** zuìchū de bàojià.
    * English: Considering the market changes, we have to withdraw our initial price offer.
    * Analysis: A formal and polite way to retract a business offer.
  * **Example 5:**
    * 将军**收回**了进攻的命令。
    * Pinyin: Jiāngjūn **shōuhuí**le jìngōng de mìnglìng.
    * English: The general revoked the order to attack.
    * Analysis: Demonstrates retracting a formal command or order.
  * **Example 6:**
    * 好吧，我**收回**我说你懒的话，你只是效率不高。
    * Pinyin: Hǎo ba, wǒ **shōuhuí** wǒ shuō nǐ lǎn de huà, nǐ zhǐshì xiàolǜ bù gāo.
    * English: Okay, I take back what I said about you being lazy; you're just not very efficient.
    * Analysis: A humorous and slightly sarcastic use of "take back" a comment among acquaintances.
  * **Example 7:**
    * 经过一夜的思考，他决定**收回**他的辞职信。
    * Pinyin: Jīngguò yīyè de sīkǎo, tā juédìng **shōuhuí** tā de cízhí xìn.
    * English: After thinking it over all night, he decided to withdraw his resignation letter.
    * Analysis: A common situation in a professional context.
  * **Example 8:**
    * 他**收回**了投向远方的目光，专注于眼前的工作。
    * Pinyin: Tā **shōuhuí**le tóuxiàng yuǎnfāng de mùguāng, zhuānzhù yú yǎnqián de gōngzuò.
    * English: He withdrew his gaze from the distance and focused on the work in front of him.
    * Analysis: A more abstract and literary usage, meaning to pull back one's attention or focus.
  * **Example 9:**
    * 银行有权在客户违约时**收回**贷款。
    * Pinyin: Yínháng yǒu quán zài kèhù wéiyuē shí **shōuhuí** dàikuǎn.
    * English: The bank has the right to call back the loan if the client defaults.
    * Analysis: Used in finance and law for reclaiming assets or funds.
  * **Example 10:**
    * 政府宣布将**收回**这片土地用于公共建设。
    * Pinyin: Zhèngfǔ xuānbù jiāng **shōuhuí** zhè piàn tǔdì yòngyú gōnggòng jiànshè.
    * English: The government announced it will reclaim this piece of land for public construction.
    * Analysis: A formal usage for reclaiming rights, property, or territory.
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
A major point of confusion for English speakers is the difference between **收回 (shōuhuí)** and **还 (huán)**. They both relate to returning things, but the perspective is opposite.
  * **收回 (shōuhuí):** The action is performed by the **owner** or **originator**. It's about //taking// something back.
  * **还 (huán):** The action is performed by the **borrower** or **recipient**. It's about //giving// something back.
**Incorrect Usage:**
  * //(You borrowed a book from your friend and want to return it)//
  * 错误 (Error): 我想**收回**这本书。 (Wǒ xiǎng shōuhuí zhè běn shū.) -> This means "I want to *take back* this book," implying you are the owner.
  * **正确 (Correct):** 我想**还**你这本书。 (Wǒ xiǎng huán nǐ zhè běn shū.) -> "I want to *return* this book to you."
Think of it this way:
  * The library will **收回** overdue books. (The library takes them back.)
  * You must **还** the books to the library. (You give them back.)
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  * [[还]] (huán) - To return, give back. The opposite action of **收回**, performed by the person who borrowed or received something.
  * [[取消]] (qǔxiāo) - To cancel. You **取消** an event, a flight, or an appointment (making it not happen). You **收回** a statement or an object (bringing it back).
  * [[撤回]] (chèhuí) - To withdraw, to revoke. A very close synonym to **收回**, often used in extremely formal or official contexts like withdrawing troops, an application, or a lawsuit.
  * [[放弃]] (fàngqì) - To give up, to abandon. This is about letting go of something you possess or are pursuing, which is the opposite of taking something back.
  * [[拿回来]] (ná huílái) - A more colloquial phrase meaning "to take/get back," usually for physical objects. It's less formal than **收回**.
  * [[要回来]] (yào huílái) - To ask for something back. This emphasizes the act of *requesting* the return of an item.