復 meaning and stroke order
Again, repeatedly; copy, duplicate; to restore, to return
How to write 復, stroke by stroke
12 strokes in order. Each box adds the next stroke in red. Write top to bottom and left to right, and finish enclosing strokes last.
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Meaning of 復
Definitions from CC-CEDICT, grouped by pronunciation.
- to go and return
- to return
- to resume
- to return to a normal or original state
- to repeat
- again
How 復 is built
Ideographic (compound meaning) character. Older form of 复; see that character for the etymology.
Radical: 彳 (to step with the left foot), shared by 42 characters on this site.
How to remember 復
復 is built from 彳 (a step, walking) on the left and 复 on the right. Picture a person stepping along a road and then walking back the same way, which gives the idea of going and returning, and then doing something again.
復 is the traditional form used in Taiwan and Hong Kong, while mainland China writes 复. It appears in words about returning to a normal state, like 恢復 (huīfù) and 康復 (kāngfù). Example: 他的身體已經康復了。(Tā de shēntǐ yǐjīng kāngfù le.) His health has already recovered.
Common mistake: Learners often confuse 復 with 複 (fù, complex, double) and 覆 (fù, to cover, to reply), since all three simplify to 复. Use 復 for returning or restoring, as in 恢復, but write 複雜 (fùzá) for complicated.
Common words with 復
Ordered by HSK level, then by how often they appear in everyday Chinese.
| Word | Pinyin | Meaning | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 回復 | huífù | to recover; to revert; to return to (good health, normal condition etc); variant of 回覆[hui | HSK 4 |
| 恢復 | huīfù | to reinstate; to resume | HSK 5 |
| 修復 | xiūfù | to restore; to renovate; (computing) to repair (a corrupted file etc) | HSK 5 |
| 康復 | kāngfù | to recuperate; to recover (health) | HSK 6 |
| 復甦 | fùsū | to recover (health, economic); to resuscitate | HSK 6 |
| 報復 | bàofù | to make reprisals; to retaliate; revenge; retaliation | HSK 7-9 |
| 復活 | fùhuó | to revive; (lit. and fig.) to come back to life | HSK 7-9 |
| 復原 | fùyuán | to restore (sth) to (its) former condition; to recover from illness | HSK 7-9 |
| 日復一日 | rìfùyīrì | day after day | HSK 7-9 |
| 復興 | fùxīng | to revive; to rejuvenate | HSK 7-9 |
| 復發 | fùfā | to recur (of a disease); to reappear | HSK 7-9 |
| 復查 | fùchá | to check again; to re-examine | HSK 7-9 |
| 收復 | shōufù | to recover (lost territory etc); to recapture | HSK 7-9 |
| 復仇 | fùchóu | to avenge; vengeance |
Characters that contain 復
Learning 復 makes these easier to recognize and write.
Questions about 復
How many strokes are in 復?
復 is written with 12 strokes. The diagrams on this page number every stroke in the order it is written, with the new stroke shown in red.
What does 復 mean?
復 (fù) means again, repeatedly; copy, duplicate; to restore, to return. A common word with it is 回复 (huífù), meaning "to recover; to revert; to return to (good health, normal condition etc); variant of 回覆[hui".
How do you pronounce 復?
復 is pronounced fù, in the fourth tone (falling).
What is the radical of 復?
The radical of 復 is 彳, which carries the idea of "to step with the left foot". Dictionaries list 復 under this radical.
What is the simplified form of 復?
復 is a traditional character. Its simplified form is 复, used in mainland China and Singapore.
Is 回復 or 回覆 correct for replying to a message?
In traditional Chinese, 回覆 is usually preferred for replying to a letter or message, while 回復 leans toward returning to a former state. In simplified Chinese both become 回复, so the distinction disappears.
Does 報復 mean to repay someone kindly?
No. 報復 (bàofù) means to retaliate or take revenge. For repaying a kindness, Chinese uses words like 報答 (bàodá).