You might know “回 (huí)” from “回去 (huíqù)” or “回来 (huílái),” meaning “to go back” or “to come back.” Here, “回 (huí)” means “to return.”
You might also know “到 (dào)” meaning “to arrive.” Therefore, “回忆 (huíyì)” literally means “to return to memories.”
You can use “回忆 (huíyì)” as a noun, meaning “memory,” as in “美好的回忆 (měihǎo de huíyì),” meaning “beautiful memories.”
You can also use “回忆 (huíyì)” as a verb, meaning “to recall,” as in “回忆过去 (huíyì guòqù),” meaning “to recall the past.”
§ What does 回忆 (huíyì) mean?
- Definition
- Memory; to recall.
回忆 (huíyì) is a versatile word in Chinese. It can function as both a noun, meaning 'memory,' and a verb, meaning 'to recall' or 'to remember.' Understanding both uses is key to using it correctly.
§ How to use it in a sentence: Noun form
When 回忆 (huíyì) is used as a noun, it refers to a memory or memories. Think of it like the English word 'memory' itself.
美好的回忆 (měihǎo de huíyì)
This translates to 'beautiful memories.' You often see it modified by adjectives like 美好 (měihǎo, beautiful), 痛苦 (tòngkǔ, painful), or 珍贵 (zhēnguì, precious).
童年的回忆 (tóngnián de huíyì)
Here, it means 'childhood memories.' The structure is usually [Modifier] 的 [回忆].
- Example Sentence 1 (Noun)
- 这张照片勾起了很多美好的回忆。(Zhè zhāng zhàopiàn gōuqǐ le hěn duō měihǎo de huíyì.)
This photo brought back many beautiful memories.
- Example Sentence 2 (Noun)
- 他有很多关于旅行的美好回忆。(Tā yǒu hěn duō guānyú lǚxíng de měihǎo huíyì.)
He has many beautiful memories about traveling.
§ How to use it in a sentence: Verb form
When 回忆 (huíyì) is used as a verb, it means 'to recall' or 'to remember.' In this case, it often takes an object, which is what you are recalling.
回忆过去 (huíyì guòqù)
This means 'to recall the past.'
回忆童年 (huíyì tóngnián)
This means 'to recall childhood.'
- Example Sentence 3 (Verb)
- 他喜欢在晚上回忆过去的事情。(Tā xǐhuan zài wǎnshang huíyì guòqù de shìqíng.)
He likes to recall past events in the evening.
- Example Sentence 4 (Verb)
- 我们一起回忆了大学时光。(Wǒmen yīqǐ huíyì le dàxué shíguāng.)
We recalled our university days together.
§ Common phrases and usage patterns
Here are some common ways you'll hear and use 回忆 (huíyì):
- 美好的回忆 (měihǎo de huíyì): Beautiful memories.
- 痛苦的回忆 (tòngkǔ de huíyì): Painful memories.
- 珍贵的回忆 (zhēnguì de huíyì): Precious memories.
- 回忆往事 (huíyì wǎngshì): To recall past events.
- 回忆起 (huíyì qǐ): To recall, to remember (often implying the memory just came to mind).
- Example Sentence with 回忆起
- 我突然回忆起我们第一次见面的情景。(Wǒ túrán huíyì qǐ wǒmen dì yī cì jiànmiàn de qíngjǐng.)
I suddenly recalled the scene of our first meeting.
The key takeaway here is to pay attention to the context. If it's acting as a noun, it will often be preceded by a modifier or quantifier. If it's acting as a verb, it will usually be followed by what is being recalled.
Fun Fact
The character 忆 (yì) is a phono-semantic compound. The phonetic component is 意 (yì), which means 'idea' or 'meaning', and the semantic component is 忄 (xīn), the 'heart' radical, indicating that memory and thought are associated with the heart in traditional Chinese understanding.
Difficulty Rating
The characters are common and relatively simple.
Both characters have a manageable number of strokes.
The tones are straightforward (second tone then fourth tone).
The pronunciation is distinct and not easily confused with other common words.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Use 回忆 as a noun to refer to a memory or memories.
美好的回忆。(Beautiful memories.)
Use 回忆 as a verb meaning 'to recall' or 'to remember'.
回忆过去。(To recall the past.)
When 回忆 is a verb, it can take an object directly.
我喜欢回忆我们的旅行。(I like to recall our trip.)
You can use 的 (de) after a noun or pronoun before 回忆 to show possession or attribution when 回忆 is a noun.
童年的回忆。(Childhood memories.)
It can be used with adverbs of time or frequency to specify when or how often one recalls something.
他经常回忆起他的大学生活。(He often recalls his university life.)
Examples by Level
我有很多美好的回忆。
I have many beautiful memories.
你还记得我们小时候的回忆吗？
Do you still remember our childhood memories?
这张照片勾起了我的回忆。
This photo brought back my memories.
他喜欢回忆过去的事情。
He likes to recall things from the past.
我们一起创造了许多美好的回忆。
We created many wonderful memories together.
这个地方充满了我的回忆。
This place is full of my memories.
她常常回忆起她的大学生活。
She often recalls her university life.
这是一段痛苦的回忆。
This is a painful memory.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
这勾起了我的回忆。
This brings back my memories. (This evokes my memories.)
我们有很多美好的回忆。
We have many good memories. (We have many beautiful memories.)
这些都是童年最珍贵的回忆。
These are the most precious memories of childhood. (These are childhood's most precious memories.)
她喜欢回忆过去。
She likes to recall the past. (She likes to remember the past.)
他对我没有一点回忆。
He has no memory of me. (He has not even a little memory of me.)
让我们创造更多美好的回忆吧！
Let's create more wonderful memories! (Let's create more beautiful memories!)
那段日子，成为了我痛苦的回忆。
Those days became a painful memory for me. (Those days, became my painful memory.)
我总是喜欢回忆我们的第一次见面。
I always like to recall our first meeting. (I always like to remember our first meeting.)
这些照片帮我回忆起很多事。
These photos help me recall many things. (These photos help me remember many things.)
我们有太多共同的回忆了。
We have too many shared memories. (We have too many common memories.)
Word Origin
Composed of two characters: 回 (huí) meaning 'to return' or 'to circle', and 忆 (yì) meaning 'to recall' or 'memory'.
Original meaning: The combination literally suggests 'returning to memory' or 'revolving in memory'.
Sino-Tibetan, Sinitic languages, Mandarin Chinese.Cultural Context
In Chinese culture, memory (回忆) is often deeply connected to a sense of nostalgia and the importance of personal and collective history. Sharing memories is a common way to bond and reflect on experiences, and there's a strong emphasis on preserving the memories of family and ancestors.
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsBoth '回忆' and '记忆' relate to memory. '回忆' (huíyì) is more about the act of recalling or a specific recollection. Think of it as 'a memory' or 'to remember'. '记忆' (jìyì) is more about the ability to remember, or the general concept of 'memory' as a faculty. You have a good '记忆', and you can '回忆' a specific event.
Yes, absolutely! '回忆' can be a verb meaning 'to recall' or 'to reminisce'. For example, 我喜欢回忆童年。 (Wǒ xǐhuān huíyì tóngnián.) - I like to recall my childhood.
You can use it like this: 他回忆起第一次见到她的情景。 (Tā huíyì qǐ dì yī cì jiàn dào tā de qíngjǐng.) - He recalled the scene of meeting her for the first time. The '起' (qǐ) often follows '回忆' when you're bringing a memory to mind.
It can be both! You can have happy memories (美好的回忆 - měihǎo de huíyì) or sad memories (痛苦的回忆 - tòngkǔ de huíyì). It's neutral in itself, the context makes it positive or negative.
You'd say 珍贵的回忆 (zhēnguì de huíyì). 珍贵 means 'precious' or 'valuable'.
Not directly. '回忆' is the memory itself or the act of remembering. You might say 这件礼物勾起了我的美好回忆。 (Zhè jiàn lǐwù gōuqǐ le wǒ de měihǎo huíyì.) - This gift evoked my beautiful memories. But the object itself isn't '一个回忆'.
A good one is 回忆过去 (huíyì guòqù), which literally means 'recall the past' or 'look back at the past'. For example, 我们一起回忆过去。 (Wǒmen yīqǐ huíyì guòqù.) - We reminisced about the past together.
Yes, it is natural, especially when you're referring to a specific memory or memories you possess. For instance, 这是我最珍贵的回忆。 (Zhè shì wǒ zuì zhēnguì de huíyì.) - This is my most precious memory.
For the ability, you'd use 记忆力好 (jìyìlì hǎo) - 'good memory power'. For a specific, good recollection, you'd say 美好的回忆 (měihǎo de huíyì) or 珍贵的回忆 (zhēnguì de huíyì).
Yes, '回忆' is perfectly suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It's a standard and widely used word in Chinese.
Test Yourself 60 questions
Write a short sentence about a good memory you have. (e.g., '我和朋友一起玩，这是一个美好的回忆。' - I played with friends, this is a good memory.)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我有很多美好的回忆。
Write a sentence describing something you can recall clearly. (e.g., '我能清楚地回忆起我的童年。' - I can clearly recall my childhood.)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我能回忆起昨天发生的事情。
Write a sentence about how someone helped you create a memory. (e.g., '他帮助我创造了一个美好的回忆。' - He helped me create a beautiful memory.)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
谢谢你，你给我留下了美好的回忆。
小明为什么说这是一个美好的回忆？
Read this passage:
小明和他的家人一起去了公园。他们玩得很开心。小明说：“这是一个美好的回忆。”
小明为什么说这是一个美好的回忆？
文章中提到小明和家人玩得很开心，所以他觉得这是一个美好的回忆。
文章中提到小明和家人玩得很开心，所以他觉得这是一个美好的回忆。
小红的美好回忆是什么？
Read this passage:
老师问同学们：“你们有什么美好的回忆吗？” 小红说：“我记得我第一次学骑自行车的时候。”
小红的美好回忆是什么？
小红清楚地说明了她的美好回忆是“第一次学骑自行车”。
小红清楚地说明了她的美好回忆是“第一次学骑自行车”。
为什么“我”喜欢看旧照片？
Read this passage:
我很喜欢看旧照片，因为它们能帮助我回忆起过去的美好时光。
为什么“我”喜欢看旧照片？
原文直接指出“因为它们能帮助我回忆起过去的美好时光”。
原文直接指出“因为它们能帮助我回忆起过去的美好时光”。
这张照片勾起了我很多美好的___。
回忆 (huíyì) refers to memories, especially those from the past. 记忆 (jìyì) is more about the faculty of memory or a specific stored memory. 思想 (sīxiǎng) means 'thought' or 'ideology', and 想法 (xiǎngfǎ) means 'idea' or 'opinion'.
她喜欢在晚上___白天发生的事情。
回忆 (huíyì) means to recall or recollect past events. 思考 (sīkǎo) means 'to ponder' or 'to think deeply'. 记得 (jìde) means 'to remember' (a fact), and 记住 (jìzhù) means 'to memorize' or 'to keep in mind'.
当我们看到老照片时，常常会___起过去。
回忆 (huíyì) as a verb means to recollect. 想起 (xiǎngqǐ) means 'to recall' or 'to remember suddenly', which is also possible here but '回忆起' is a common collocation. 记住 (jìzhù) means 'to memorize'. 知道 (zhīdào) means 'to know'.
童年的___总是那么美好。
童年的回忆 (tóngnián de huíyì) is a common phrase meaning 'childhood memories'. 过去 (guòqù) means 'the past'. 时候 (shíhou) and 时间 (shíjiān) both relate to 'time', but not in this context.
他常常在日记里写下自己的___。
写下自己的回忆 (xiěxià zìjǐ de huíyì) means to write down one's memories. 想法 (xiǎngfǎ) means 'ideas', 故事 (gùshi) means 'stories', and 事情 (shìqing) means 'things' or 'matters'. While one might write about these, 'memories' is the most direct fit for the verb '回忆'.
这些老歌让我___起了很多往事。
让我想起 (ràng wǒ xiǎngqǐ) is a good choice here for 'making me recall'. However, '回忆起' (huíyìqǐ) is also very natural for 'recalling' or 'bringing back memories'. Given '回忆' is the target word, it fits well as a verb in this context. 想起 (xiǎngqǐ) is a very close alternative but the exercise focuses on '回忆'. 记得 (jìde) means 'to remember' (a fact), and 思考 (sīkǎo) means 'to think'.
Write a short sentence about a good memory you have. Use the word '回忆'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我有很多美好的回忆。
Describe a time you tried to recall something important but couldn't. Use '回忆'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我努力回忆他的名字，但想不起来。
Imagine you are looking at an old photo. Write a sentence about the memories it brings back, using '回忆'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
这张照片让我想起了很多美好的回忆。
小明喜欢回忆什么？
Read this passage:
小明喜欢回忆他的童年。他常常想念他的家乡和朋友。
小明喜欢回忆什么？
文章中明确提到小明喜欢回忆他的童年。
文章中明确提到小明喜欢回忆他的童年。
这家饭馆的食物让作者想起了什么？
Read this passage:
昨天我们去了一家老饭馆，那里的食物让我想起了很多美好的回忆。
这家饭馆的食物让作者想起了什么？
文章提到食物让作者想起了美好的回忆。
文章提到食物让作者想起了美好的回忆。
作者在回忆什么？
Read this passage:
我常常回忆起第一次去中国旅行的经历。那是一次非常棒的旅行。
作者在回忆什么？
文章中明确提到作者回忆第一次去中国旅行的经历。
文章中明确提到作者回忆第一次去中国旅行的经历。
她喜欢在晚上______她童年的往事。
“回忆”在这里用作动词，表示回想过去的事情，符合句意。
这张照片勾起了我美好的______。
“回忆”在这里用作名词，指对过去事物的回想或印象，符合句意。
我们一起度过了许多值得______的时光。
“值得回忆的时光”是常见搭配，表示这些时光令人难忘。
虽然时间久远，但我对那件事的______依然清晰。
句子中“对…的回忆”是名词性用法，表示对某事的记忆。
他常常一个人静静地坐着，______过去的日子。
“回忆日子”是一个常见的动宾搭配，表示回想过去的日子。
童年是每个人最珍贵的______之一。
童年是人们一生中最美好的回忆之一，这里用作名词，符合语境。
Describe a cherished childhood memory. Use '回忆' at least once.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我的童年充满了美好的回忆。我记得小时候经常和朋友们在公园里玩耍，那是一段非常快乐的时光。
Write about a recent event that will become a good memory in the future. Incorporate '回忆' naturally.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
上周的旅行对我来说是一段难忘的经历。我相信将来我会经常回忆起这次美好的旅行。
Imagine you are looking at an old photo. What memories does it bring back? Use '回忆' to express this.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
这张旧照片勾起了我很多过去的回忆。我记得那时我们都还很年轻，无忧无虑。
文章中提到，什么给作者留下了深刻的印象？
Read this passage:
他常常回忆起在中国的留学生活。那里的文化、美食和朋友都给他留下了深刻的印象。他觉得那段经历是他人生中最宝贵的回忆之一。
文章中提到，什么给作者留下了深刻的印象？
文章中明确提到“那里的文化、美食和朋友都给他留下了深刻的印象”。
文章中明确提到“那里的文化、美食和朋友都给他留下了深刻的印象”。
什么能让她回忆起儿时的场景？
Read this passage:
虽然时间已经过去很久，但她对家乡的记忆依然清晰。每当她听到那首熟悉的歌曲，就会回忆起儿时和小伙伴们一起玩耍的场景。
什么能让她回忆起儿时的场景？
文章中提到“每当她听到那首熟悉的歌曲，就会回忆起儿时和小伙伴们一起玩耍的场景”。
文章中提到“每当她听到那首熟悉的歌曲，就会回忆起儿时和小伙伴们一起玩耍的场景”。
根据文章，回忆在人生中扮演了什么角色？
Read this passage:
人生就像一本厚厚的书，每一页都记录着我们的经历和回忆。有些回忆是快乐的，有些是悲伤的，但它们都构成了我们独特的人生故事。
根据文章，回忆在人生中扮演了什么角色？
文章中提到“每一页都记录着我们的经历和回忆”和“它们都构成了我们独特的人生故事”。
文章中提到“每一页都记录着我们的经历和回忆”和“它们都构成了我们独特的人生故事”。
当他看到那张老照片时，美好的___涌上心头。(dāng tā kàn dào nà zhāng lǎo zhào piàn shí, měi hǎo de ___ yǒng shàng xīn tóu.)
Here, '美好的回忆' means 'beautiful memories', referring to past experiences, which fits the context of seeing an old photo.
她喜欢在睡前___童年的趣事。(tā xǐ huān zài shuì qián ___ tóng nián de qù shì.)
'回忆' as a verb means 'to recall' or 'to reminisce', which is appropriate for recalling childhood fun facts before sleep.
这次旅行给我留下了许多宝贵的___。(zhè cì lǚ xíng gěi wǒ liú xià le xǔ duō bǎo guì de ___.)
The context implies that the trip left behind valuable memories, making '回忆' the best fit.
虽然时间过去了很久，但那些___依然清晰。(suī rán shí jiān guò qù le hěn jiǔ, dàn nà xiē ___ yī rán qīng xī.)
Here, '回忆' refers to the memories themselves that remain clear despite the passage of time.
我们一起___了大学时代的快乐时光。(wǒ men yī qǐ ___ le dà xué shí dài de kuài lè shí guāng.)
The sentence describes 'recalling' or 'reminiscing about' happy times from college, so '回忆' (as a verb) is correct.
她总喜欢一个人静静地___往事。(tā zǒng xǐ huān yī gè rén jìng jìng de ___ wǎng shì.)
To 'reminisce about' or 'recall' past events fits the context of someone quietly thinking about the past.
Describe a vivid childhood memory. What happened, and how do you feel when you recall it now?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我童年最生动的回忆是第一次去海边。我记得海浪的声音和沙子的温暖。现在回忆起来，我感到非常快乐和放松。
Think about a significant event in your life. Write about how your memory of it has changed over time.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
大学毕业对我来说是一个重要事件。起初，我只记得兴奋和解脱。但随着时间的推移，我开始回忆起更多细节，比如和朋友的告别和对未来的不确定性。
Imagine you are writing a letter to your future self. What memory would you want to share with them, and why?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
给未来的自己：我希望你还记得和家人一起旅行的快乐回忆。那段时光充满了爱和欢笑，我希望你永远不要忘记我们在一起的珍贵时刻。
根据短文，回忆通常会带来什么？
Read this passage:
人的一生中，有许多美好的回忆值得珍藏。这些回忆可能是和家人朋友的相聚，也可能是独自旅行的经历。当我们回忆起这些时刻，总会感受到不同的情感。
根据短文，回忆通常会带来什么？
短文中提到“总会感受到不同的情感”。
短文中提到“总会感受到不同的情感”。
老王为什么认为年轻时的回忆是宝贵的财富？
Read this passage:
老王经常回忆起他年轻时在农村的生活。那时候虽然物质条件不富裕，但人与人之间的感情很真挚。他认为那些回忆是他人生的宝贵财富。
老王为什么认为年轻时的回忆是宝贵的财富？
短文中提到“人与人之间的感情很真挚。他认为那些回忆是他人生的宝贵财富。”
短文中提到“人与人之间的感情很真挚。他认为那些回忆是他人生的宝贵财富。”
根据短文，科学家们正在研究什么？
Read this passage:
很多时候，我们试图回忆起一些事情，但记忆往往是模糊的。科学家们正在研究如何提高人类的记忆力，希望能帮助人们更好地保存和回忆信息。
根据短文，科学家们正在研究什么？
短文中提到“科学家们正在研究如何提高人类的记忆力”。
短文中提到“科学家们正在研究如何提高人类的记忆力”。
她试图摆脱那些痛苦的___，但它们总是挥之不去。
‘回忆’ here refers to the collection of past events or experiences, often with an emotional connotation, fitting the context of painful lingering thoughts. '记忆' is more general for memory. '回想' is a verb meaning to recall. '思念' means to miss someone.
这个老旧的相册承载了他童年最美好的___。
‘回忆’ is the best fit as it means memories or recollections, which are typically found in a photo album. '思考' means thinking, '感觉' means feeling, and '想象' means imagination.
每次听到那首歌，我都会___起我们在一起的时光。
‘回忆起’ is a common way to express recalling past events, especially with a sense of nostalgia or personal connection. '记住' means to remember (facts). '想起' means to recall (an idea or fact). '想念' means to miss someone.
动词“回忆”强调的是主动地回想过去的经历。
动词‘回忆’ (huíyì) indeed emphasizes the active process of recalling or bringing past experiences to mind, often with a certain degree of deliberation or emotional engagement.
名词“回忆”可以指一个人经历过的事情的集合，但不能指具体某个事件。
名词‘回忆’ (huíyì) can refer to both the collection of past experiences (e.g., 童年回忆 - childhood memories) and specific past events (e.g., 这是一段美好的回忆 - this is a beautiful memory).
“回忆”和“记忆”在所有情况下都可以互换使用，没有区别。
虽然‘回忆’ (huíyì) 和 ‘记忆’ (jìyì) 都与“记忆”相关，但它们在使用上存在细微差别。‘记忆’更偏向于大脑存储信息的能力和信息本身（facts, knowledge），而‘回忆’则更侧重于对过去经历的主观重温或情感上的回顾。它们并非在所有情况下都能互换。
她时常___起我们小时候一起玩耍的时光。
‘回忆’ here means 'to recall' or 'to reminisce' about past times, which fits the context of remembering childhood playtime. '记忆' is a noun for memory. '思想' means thought, and '念头' means idea or thought, neither fits the verb usage here.
那段艰苦的岁月如今只剩下模糊的___。
‘回忆’ (memory) is the most appropriate noun here to describe the faint remnants of past difficult times. '记忆' (memory) is also possible but '回忆' as a noun can specifically refer to the recollection itself. '感想' means feelings or impressions, and '印象' means impression.
当我再次来到这里，许多美好的___涌上心头。
‘回忆’ (memories) fits perfectly with the context of good past events coming to mind when returning to a place. '想法' means ideas/thoughts, '意见' means opinion, and '观点' means viewpoint.
他努力地___每一个细节，试图拼凑出事情的真相。
While '回想' and '回顾' are close, '回忆' as a verb implies actively recalling or remembering, which suits the context of trying to piece together details to find the truth. '记忆' as a verb usually means to commit to memory, not to actively recall.
这部电影勾起了我许多童年的___。
‘回忆’ (memories/recollections) is the best fit here as the movie is bringing back specific past experiences from childhood. '记忆' is also a noun for memory but '回忆' often carries a more emotional or reflective connotation.
尽管时间流逝，那些珍贵的___依然清晰如昨。
‘回忆’ (memories) is the correct choice, as it refers to cherished past experiences that remain clear. '思想' (thought), '念头' (idea), and '观点' (viewpoint) do not fit the context of clear past events.
This sentence describes how memories of past life often feel bitter. The structure places the subject '他' (he), followed by '过去的生活' (past life), then '回忆起来' (recalling it), and finally '总是有些苦涩' (always a bit bitter).
This sentence expresses creating beautiful memories together. '我们' (we) is the subject, '一起' (together) is an adverb, '创造了' (created) is the verb, and '许多美好的回忆' (many beautiful memories) is the object.
This sentence conveys that childhood memories remain clear despite the passage of time. '尽管岁月流逝' (although years pass by) is a subordinate clause, followed by '那些童年的回忆' (those childhood memories) as the subject, and '依然清晰可见' (still clearly visible) as the predicate.
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Related Phrases
More emotions words
有点
A1A little; somewhat; rather.
一点
A1A little; a bit; slightly.
可恶
A2Hateful; detestable; abominable.
心不在焉
A2Absent-minded; preoccupied.
接受地
A2Acceptingly; receptively.
成就感
B1Sense of achievement; fulfillment.
撒娇
A2To act like a spoiled child; to act cute.
上瘾
B1To be addicted to something.
沉迷
A2To be addicted to; to be engrossed in.
敬佩
B1Admiration; respect; reverence.
