verb / adjective HSK 5
Traditional 復合
to reunite · to get back together · to compound · composite · complex

Meaning

复合 primarily means to reunite or reconcile after a separation, especially in romantic relationships. It also means to combine or compound multiple elements together, and as an adjective describes things that are composite or compound in nature, made up of multiple parts.

Usage

In everyday speech, 复合 is most commonly used when talking about couples getting back together after a breakup. In technical or academic contexts, it describes compound structures or combined elements (like compound words, composite materials, or complex systems). The verb usage requires a subject who reunites with someone or something.

Examples

  1. 01
    他们分手三个月后又复合了。
    Tāmen fēn shǒu sān yuè hòu yòu le.
    They got back together three months after breaking up.
  2. 02
    这种复合材料既轻便又坚固。
    Zhè zhǒng cái liào qīng biàn yòu jiān .
    This composite material is both lightweight and sturdy.

Characters

Common collocations

  • 复合
    xíng
    composite type, complex type
  • 复合材料
    cái liào
    composite material
  • 复合
    compound word
  • 复合
    xiǎng
    to want to get back together

Antonyms

Origin

The word combines 复 (to return/repeat) and 合 (to unite/join), literally meaning to join again or reunite. This transparent construction explains both its reconciliation meaning and its technical meaning of combining elements.

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