Meaning of 回信
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- to reply
- to write back
- letter written in reply
Measure word: 封
How to use 回信
回信 works as a noun for a reply letter or message, and also as a verb meaning to write back. It is common for letters and emails, and people also use it casually for replying to messages. Example: 我还没收到他的回信。(Wǒ hái méi shōudào tā de huíxìn.) I haven't received his reply yet.
回 (huí) means to go back, and 信 (xìn) means a letter, so 回信 is a letter that goes back to the person who wrote to you. Picture your letter returning to its sender with your answer inside.
Common mistake: Learners often use 回信 for answering a spoken question, but that is 回答 (huídá). 回信 is for written replies, while 回答 is for answering a question. Also, when 回信 is a verb you write back to someone with 给: 给我回信 (gěi wǒ huíxìn), not 回信我.
回信 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
回 huí · to go back · 6 strokes
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信 xìn · letter · 9 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 回信.
| 回来 | huílái | to return; to come back |
| 回家 | huí jiā | to return home |
| 回去 | huíqù | to return; to go back |
| 回到 | huídào | to return to |
| 回答 | huídá | to reply; to answer; reply; answer |
| 相信 | xiāngxìn | to believe; to be convinced; to accept as true |
| 信息 | xìnxī | information; news; message |
| 信号 | xìnhào | signal |
| 信心 | xìnxīn | confidence; faith (in sb or sth) |
| 短信 | duǎnxìn | text message; SMS |
| 信用卡 | xìnyòngkǎ | credit card |
| 回国 | huí guó | to return to one's home country |
Questions about 回信
What does 回信 mean?
回信 (huíxìn) means "to reply; to write back" and is used as a noun.
How do you write 回信?
回信 is made of 2 characters: 回 (6 strokes), 信 (9 strokes). That is 15 strokes in total.
Is 回信 an HSK word?
Yes. 回信 is on the HSK 5 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
Can I say 回信 for replying to a text or WeChat message?
Yes, especially in casual speech, for example 他一直不回信 (tā yìzhí bù huíxìn), he never replies. Many people also say 回消息 (huí xiāoxi) or simply 回 (huí) for messages.
How do I say 'Please write back soon' in Chinese?
A common phrase is 请早日回信 (qǐng zǎorì huíxìn), often used to close a letter or email. A more casual version is 早点儿给我回信 (zǎo diǎnr gěi wǒ huíxìn).