noun / verb HSK 4
fǎn chéng
return journey · return trip · to return (from a trip)

Meaning

返程 refers to the journey back to one's starting point or home after traveling somewhere. It combines 返 (to return) and 程 (journey/route). As a noun, it describes the return leg of a trip; as a verb, it means to make that return journey.

Usage

Commonly used in travel contexts like discussing flights, train rides, or road trips. Native speakers often use it when planning or describing the homeward portion of a round trip. Frequently paired with transportation methods and time expressions.

Examples

  1. 01
    我们明天就要踏上返程了。
    Wǒmen míngtiān jiù yào shàng fǎn chéng le.
    We're embarking on our return journey tomorrow.
  2. 02
    返程的飞机票已经订好了。
    Fǎn chéng de fēijī piào yǐjīng dìng hǎo le.
    The return flight ticket has already been booked.

Characters

Measure words

  • tàng一趟返程

Common collocations

  • 返程车票
    fǎn chéng chē piào
    return ticket
  • 返程航班
    fǎn chéng háng bān
    return flight
  • 踏上返程
    shàng fǎn chéng
    to embark on the return journey
  • 返程途中
    fǎn chéng zhōng
    on the way back

Antonyms

Origin

The word combines the classical character 返 (return) with 程 (journey/stage), creating a compound that literally means 'return journey.' This structure is typical of modern Chinese transportation vocabulary.

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