shōuhuí: 收回 - Take back, Withdraw, Retract

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

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.

收回 (shōuhuí) is a common and useful word with a generally neutral to formal tone. Its meaning shifts slightly depending on the context.

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.

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.

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 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 shōuhuíle 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 shōuhuíle 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 shōuhuíle 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.

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.)

• 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.