Chinese Word
Archive
← Today's word Archive
verb HSK 4
Traditional 退還
tuì huán
to return · to give back · to refund

Meaning

退还 means to return something to its original owner or source, often referring to giving back money, goods, or items. It's commonly used in commercial contexts for refunds and returns, as well as in formal situations where something borrowed or mistakenly taken needs to be returned.

Usage

This is a formal, somewhat official term commonly used in business, retail, and administrative contexts. In casual conversation, people might use simpler words like 还 (huán) alone. 退还 strongly implies a proper, systematic return process rather than just handing something back informally.

Examples

  1. 01
    如果您对商品不满意，我们可以全额退还货款。
    Rúguǒ nín duì shāngpǐn bù mǎnyì, wǒmen kěyǐ quán é tuì huán huò kuǎn.
    If you are not satisfied with the product, we can refund the full amount.
  2. 02
    租房合同到期后，房东应该退还押金。
    Zū fáng hétong dàoqī hòu, fángdōng yīnggāi tuì huán yā jīn.
    After the rental contract expires, the landlord should return the deposit.

Characters

Common collocations

  • 退还押金
    tuì huán yā jīn
    to refund a deposit
  • 退还款项
    tuì huán kuǎn xiàng
    to refund payment
  • 全额退还
    quán é tuì huán
    to refund in full
  • 无条件退还
    wú tiáo jiàn tuì huán
    to refund unconditionally

Antonyms

Origin

Both characters relate to returning or giving back. 退 originally meant to step back or retreat, while 还 means to return to an original state. Together they emphasize the complete action of returning something to where it came from.

Related