Meaning
回忆 means to think back on past events or experiences, or the memories themselves. As a verb, it describes the mental act of recalling something from the past. As a noun, it refers to the memories or recollections one has. It carries a somewhat reflective, often nostalgic tone.
Usage
回忆 is commonly used in both written and spoken Chinese when discussing past experiences, especially those with emotional significance. It's often paired with 起 (qǐ) as 回忆起 to emphasize the action of calling something to mind. Native speakers use it for both pleasant and bittersweet memories, though it generally has a softer, more sentimental quality than neutral terms like 记得 (to remember).
Examples
- 01每次看到这张照片，我就会回忆起大学时光。, .Every time I see this photo, I recall my university days.
- 02那是我童年最美好的回忆。.That is the most beautiful memory of my childhood.
Characters
Measure words
- 个一个美好的回忆
- 段一段回忆
Common collocations
- 回忆起to recall, to think back on
- 美好的回忆beautiful memories
- 童年回忆childhood memories
- 回忆录memoir
Antonyms
Origin
The character 回 suggests 'returning' or 'going back,' while 忆 (traditional: 憶) combines the heart radical 忄with 意 (meaning/intention), indicating mental activity related to the past.