去而复返
qù ér fù fǎn
to come back after leaving; to return
Character by character
去qù
leave
leave
而ér
and
and
复fù
again
again
返fǎn
return
return
Example
他刚出门不久又去而复返，原来是忘了带钥匙。
He had only just left when he was back again: he had forgotten his keys.
Tone: neutral.
Usage and origin
复 is the written word for “again”. Used of people who turn back, and of things one hoped were gone: 寒潮去而复返 (the cold snap came back). Written or narrative in tone.
Learn this in Lesson 204 · HSK 7–9: 雅克萨与尼布楚 (Albazin and Nerchinsk)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
Open the lesson →