verb / noun HSK 5
Traditional 歸屬
to belong to · to be attributed to · sense of belonging · ownership
Meaning
归属 refers to the relationship of belonging or being assigned to someone or something. As a verb, it means to be owned by or affiliated with. As a noun, it describes the state or feeling of belonging, attachment, or ownership rights.
Usage
Commonly used in formal or written contexts when discussing ownership, jurisdiction, or emotional belonging. Often appears in legal, administrative, or psychological discussions. The noun sense 归属感 (sense of belonging) is particularly common in modern Chinese.
Examples
- 01这块土地的归属还没有确定。.The ownership of this piece of land has not yet been determined.
- 02他在新城市找到了归属感。.He found a sense of belonging in the new city.
Characters
Common collocations
- 归属感sense of belonging
- 归属问题question of ownership/jurisdiction
- 最终归属final ownership/attribution
- 权利归属ownership of rights
Origin
归 originally meant 'to return' and 属 meant 'to belong to a category.' Together they emphasize the idea of something returning to or being placed under proper ownership or jurisdiction.