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A2 noun #3,000 most common 10 min read

回忆

huiyi Top 3,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 回忆 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 回忆 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you are just starting to talk about things that happened in the past. While '回忆' (huíyì) might be slightly advanced for a pure beginner, it is very useful for saying simple things like 'I have a memory' or 'I recall.' At this stage, you should focus on the word as a noun. You can use it to describe photos or old items. For example, '这是我的回忆' (This is my memory). It helps you connect simple objects to your personal history. You don't need to worry about complex grammar yet; just think of it as the word for a 'story' or 'thought' from your past that you still have in your head. You might use it when talking about your family or your hometown. Even at A1, knowing this word allows you to share a little bit more of your personality by indicating that you are thinking about your own history. Keep it simple: Subject + 有 (have) + 回忆. '我有好回忆' (I have good memories) is a perfectly fine A1 sentence that people will understand, even if '我有美好的回忆' is more natural at higher levels.

At the A2 level, you should begin to use '回忆' (huíyì) as both a noun and a verb. This is the stage where you start describing your life in more detail, such as your childhood, your school days, or your last vacation. You can use the structure '回忆起' (huíyì qǐ) to mean 'to recall.' For example, '我想起/回忆起我的老师' (I recall my teacher). You can also start adding simple adjectives to the noun form, like '美好的回忆' (beautiful memories) or '快乐的回忆' (happy memories). At A2, you are expected to be able to talk about past experiences, and '回忆' is the perfect tool for that. You might use it in a sentence like '我们一起回忆小时候的事情' (We recall things from when we were little together). This level is about building the bridge between simple facts and personal stories. You should also start to notice the difference between '回忆' and '记得' (jìde). Remember: use '记得' for things you haven't forgotten, and '回忆' for when you are actively thinking back to a specific time or event. This distinction will make your Chinese sound much more authentic as you progress through the elementary stages.

By the B1 level, you should be comfortable using '回忆' (huíyì) in more complex sentence structures and with a wider range of vocabulary. You can use it to describe the impact of memories on your current feelings. For instance, '这段回忆让我感到很温暖' (This memory makes me feel very warm). You should also be familiar with common collocations like '勾起回忆' (to evoke memories) or '珍藏回忆' (to treasure memories). At this intermediate stage, you can use '回忆' to discuss more abstract topics, such as the importance of history or the way memories change over time. You might say, '时间可以冲淡回忆' (Time can wash away memories). You should also be able to use it as a verb in longer narratives: '他在书里回忆了他的创业过程' (He recalled his process of starting a business in the book). B1 learners should also start exploring the noun '回忆录' (memoirs) and understanding how the word functions in more formal or written contexts. Your goal at B1 is to move beyond simple descriptions and start expressing the *quality* and *effect* of your recollections on your life and the lives of others.

At the B2 level, '回忆' (huíyì) becomes a tool for nuanced expression and literary appreciation. You should understand the subtle emotional shades the word carries. For example, you can use it to describe 'bittersweet' (苦乐参半) or 'vivid' (生动) memories. You should also be able to distinguish '回忆' from more formal synonyms like '追忆' (zhuīyì) or '追思' (zhuīsī) in specific contexts. At this level, you might use '回忆' in philosophical discussions about the nature of the past. For instance, '回忆并不总是真实的' (Memories are not always truthful). You should be able to handle complex grammatical structures involving '回忆,' such as using it as a modifier: '回忆式的写作手法' (a memoir-style writing technique). In conversation, you can use it to lead into a detailed story: '每当回忆起那段日子，我总是感慨万千' (Whenever I recall those days, I am always filled with many emotions). B2 learners should also be aware of how '回忆' is used in media and high-level journalism to discuss collective history and social change. Your use of the word should reflect an understanding of its power to evoke nostalgia and shape identity.

At the C1 level, you are expected to have a near-native grasp of '回忆' (huíyì) and its place in the broader Chinese lexicon. You should be able to use the word in sophisticated literary, academic, or professional contexts. This includes understanding its use in classical-style prose or modern high-brow literature. You might analyze how an author uses '回忆' to construct a non-linear narrative or to explore themes of trauma and healing. For example, you could discuss '集体回忆的建构' (the construction of collective memory) in a sociological context. Your vocabulary should include advanced idioms and four-character phrases related to memory, such as '回味无穷' (leaving a lasting pleasant aftertaste/memory). At C1, you can use '回忆' to express complex, multi-layered emotions: '这种回忆交织着痛苦与希望' (This memory is interwoven with pain and hope). You should also be able to explain the nuances between '回忆,' '记忆,' '往事,' and '旧梦' (jiùmèng - old dreams/past) with precision. Your speaking and writing should demonstrate that you can use '回忆' not just as a word, but as a conceptual framework for discussing the past and its ongoing influence on the present.

At the C2 level, your mastery of '回忆' (huíyì) is complete. You can use it with the same flexibility and cultural depth as a highly educated native speaker. You are comfortable using the word in all registers, from the most casual slang to the most formal academic or poetic language. You can engage in deep literary criticism, discussing the '回忆' of characters in complex novels like 'Dream of the Red Chamber' or the works of Lu Xun. You understand the historical and political weight the term can carry in discussions of national identity and historical trauma. You can use '回忆' as a verb or noun in intricate, multi-clause sentences that capture the finest details of human thought and emotion. For instance, '回忆如潮水般涌来，将他瞬间淹没在过去的尘埃中' (Memories surged like a tide, instantly submerging him in the dust of the past). At this level, you can also play with the word creatively in poetry or creative writing. You are not just using the language; you are contributing to it. You understand that '回忆' is not just about the past—it is a vital part of the living present, and your use of the word reflects this profound understanding of the human condition as expressed through the Chinese language.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

回忆 in 30 Seconds

回忆 (huíyì) is a dual-purpose word meaning 'to recall' (verb) or 'memory' (noun).
It is used for personal, emotional, and narrative contexts rather than technical ones.
Commonly paired with '起' (qǐ) as a verb: '回忆起' (to recall).
Distinguish from '记得' (simple remembering) and '记忆' (biological memory storage).

The Chinese word 回忆 (huíyì) is a cornerstone of emotional expression and narrative in the Mandarin language. It functions as both a noun, meaning 'memory' or 'recollection,' and a transitive verb, meaning 'to recall,' 'to look back on,' or 'to reminisce.' For an English speaker, it is vital to distinguish this from other 'memory' related words like 记忆 (jìyì), which refers more to the biological faculty of memory or stored data. 回忆 is inherently active and emotional; it implies a mental journey back in time to revisit experiences, people, and feelings. You use this word when you are sitting with friends talking about the 'good old days,' when you are writing a memoir, or when a specific smell or sound suddenly brings back a scene from your past. It is a word that bridges the gap between the present self and the history that shaped it.

Noun Usage: In its noun form, it often appears with adjectives like 'beautiful' (美好的), 'painful' (痛苦的), or 'childhood' (童年的). Example: 'This photo brings back many memories' (这张照片勾起了很多回忆).
Verb Usage: As a verb, it describes the mental action of remembering. It is often followed by '起' (qǐ) to indicate the start of the mental process. Example: 'I suddenly recalled that incident' (我突然回忆起那件事).

过去的事情已经成为了美好的回忆。
— Things of the past have become beautiful memories.

Cultural context is key: In Chinese literature and Mandopop music, 回忆 is a recurring theme. It often carries a sense of nostalgia (怀旧) and a recognition of the transience of time. When a Chinese person says they are 'recalling' something, they aren't just retrieving a fact; they are often engaging in a sentimental reflection. This word is appropriate in formal writing, such as an autobiography (回忆录), as well as in casual conversations among family members. It is not used for technical contexts, like computer memory (which is 内存) or the simple act of not forgetting a task (which is 记得). Using 回忆 correctly signals a higher level of emotional intelligence and linguistic nuance in Mandarin.

他在文章中回忆了战争时期的艰苦生活。

Furthermore, the word is frequently used in the context of 'precious memories' (珍贵的回忆). In a fast-changing society like modern China, where cities transform in a matter of years, the concept of holding onto 回忆 of the 'old neighborhood' or 'old way of life' is a powerful cultural sentiment. When you use this word, you are tapping into a deep human experience of time and identity. It is a word that helps you explain who you were to help others understand who you are now.

Using 回忆 (huíyì) correctly requires understanding its grammatical flexibility. Because it can be both a noun and a verb, the sentence structures it inhabits vary significantly. When used as a verb, it usually takes a direct object—the thing being recalled. However, it is very common to see it paired with the directional complement '起' (qǐ) to emphasize the action of the memory coming to mind. For example, '我回忆起我们第一次见面的场景' (I recalled the scene of our first meeting). This '起' acts as a bridge between the subject's mind and the past event.

Verb-Object Structure: [Subject] + 回忆 + [Past Event]. Example: '奶奶经常回忆过去的事情' (Grandma often recalls things from the past).
Noun with Modifiers: [Adjective] + 的 + 回忆. Example: '那是一段痛苦的回忆' (That was a painful memory).

我无法回忆出当时的细节。
— I cannot recall the details of that time.

Another important pattern involves the verb '勾起' (gōu qǐ), which means 'to evoke' or 'to stir up.' You will often hear '勾起回忆' (evoke memories) when a certain stimulus—like a song or a flavor—triggers a recollection. '这首歌勾起了我的童年回忆' (This song evoked my childhood memories). This is a very natural and idiomatic way to describe the involuntary nature of memory. Additionally, 回忆 can be the subject of a sentence, such as '回忆是美好的' (Memories are beautiful). Note that when used as a noun, it can be counted using the classifier '段' (duàn) for a period of time or '个' (gè) for a specific instance, though often it is treated as an uncountable abstract noun.

这些照片是我们共同的回忆。

When talking about the act of reminiscing with others, you can use the phrase '一起回忆' (reminisce together). '我们坐在一起回忆往事' (We sat together and reminisced about the past). Notice the use of '往事' (wǎngshì - past events) as the object. This combination is extremely common in both spoken and written Chinese. For learners, mastering the placement of 回忆 in these various structures allows for a much richer description of personal history and shared experiences.

You will encounter 回忆 (huíyì) in a vast array of contexts, ranging from the highly sentimental to the strictly biographical. One of the most common places is in popular music. Mandopop is famous for its ballads, and lyrics often dwell on 'past memories' of love. If you listen to artists like Jay Chou or Eason Chan, you will frequently hear them singing about how memories 'haunt' them or how they are 'lost in memories.' In these contexts, 回忆 is almost a physical place the singer inhabits. This makes it an essential word for understanding the emotional landscape of modern Chinese pop culture.

In Literature & Media: Movie titles and book chapters often use 回忆. For example, a memoir might be titled 'My Childhood Memories' (我的童年回忆). In films, a flashback scene is often narrated with the character saying, 'I still recall...' (我依然回忆...).
Daily Socializing: When friends meet after a long time, they might say '让我们回忆一下过去' (Let's reminisce about the past). It is a social lubricant for bonding over shared history.

这首歌总能勾起我很多美好的回忆。
— This song always evokes many beautiful memories for me.

In news and documentaries, 回忆 is used when interviewing witnesses or historical figures. An elderly person might 'recall' the changes in Beijing over the last fifty years. In this context, the word takes on a more serious, historical tone. Furthermore, in the digital age, social media platforms like WeChat or Little Red Book (Xiaohongshu) often have features or hashtags related to 'Today in History' or 'Old Memories' (旧回忆), where users post throwback photos. You will see captions like '满满的回忆' (Full of memories), used when someone posts something that triggers a lot of nostalgia for their followers.

老同学见面，大家都在回忆上学时的趣事。

Finally, you will hear it in the classroom. Teachers might ask students to 'recall' what they learned in the previous lesson (虽然 '复习' - review - is more common for study, '回忆' might be used for specifically trying to bring a fact back to mind). Understanding the breadth of these contexts—from the emotional depths of a breakup song to the historical gravity of a documentary—will help you use 回忆 with the appropriate tone and frequency.

For English speakers, the most frequent mistake when using 回忆 (huíyì) is failing to distinguish it from other words that translate to 'remember' or 'memory.' In English, 'memory' is a broad umbrella term, but Chinese is more specific. The most common confusion is between 回忆 and 记得 (jìde). '记得' is used for the simple act of not forgetting something (e.g., 'I remember your name'). '回忆' is for the active process of looking back at the past. You would never say 'I recall to buy milk'; you would say 'I remember (记得) to buy milk.'

Mistake 1: Confusing with 记得 (jìde): Incorrect: 我回忆带钥匙 (I recall to bring keys). Correct: 我记得带钥匙 (I remember to bring keys).
Mistake 2: Confusing with 记忆 (jìyì): Incorrect: 电脑的回忆 (Computer's memory). Correct: 电脑的内存 (Computer's RAM) or 记忆 (as a biological capacity).

不要把“回忆”和“记得”混淆。
— Do not confuse 'recall' with 'remember'.

Another common error is using 回忆 as a verb without the necessary complements or context to make it sound natural. In spoken Chinese, just saying '我回忆那件事' (I recall that matter) can sound a bit stiff or incomplete. Adding '起' (qǐ) or '着' (zhe) makes it flow better: '我回忆起那件事' (I recalled that matter) or '我正回忆着过去' (I am reminiscing about the past). Furthermore, learners sometimes use 回忆 to mean 'to memorize' (as in studying for a test). The correct word for that is 背 (bèi) or 记忆 (jìyì). 回忆 is specifically for things that have already happened to you or things you are looking back on.

他的回忆力很好。(Incorrect usage - should be 记忆力)

Finally, be careful with the emotional tone. While 回忆 can be neutral, it is often associated with positive or bittersweet feelings. Using it for a very mundane or technical retrieval of information can feel slightly out of place. For example, 'I am recalling where I put my shoes' might sound too dramatic if you use '回忆'; '想' (xiǎng - to think/to try to remember) would be more appropriate there. Mastering these distinctions will prevent you from sounding like a dictionary and help you sound like a native speaker who understands the nuances of the Chinese heart.

To truly master 回忆 (huíyì), you must understand its neighbors in the semantic field of 'memory' and 'remembering.' Chinese has several words that overlap with 回忆, each with its own specific 'flavor' and usage constraints. The most important ones to know are 记忆 (jìyì), 记得 (jìde), 想起 (xiǎngqǐ), and 怀念 (huáiniàn). Understanding these will allow you to choose the exact right word for the situation.

回忆 vs. 记忆 (jìyì): 记忆 is more technical/biological. It refers to the capacity to store info (记忆力 - memory power) or the stored data itself. 回忆 is the act of looking back or the emotional recollection. You 'recall' (回忆) a 'memory' (记忆).
回忆 vs. 记得 (jìde): 记得 is 'to not have forgotten.' It is used for facts, tasks, and simple recognition. 'I remember him' (我记得他). 回忆 is a deeper, more prolonged mental process.
回忆 vs. 想起 (xiǎngqǐ): 想起 is 'to suddenly remember' or 'to come to mind.' It is more about the moment of retrieval. 'I just remembered his name' (我刚想起他的名字).

我非常怀念在上海生活的日子。
— I really miss/cherish the days I lived in Shanghai.

Another important alternative is 怀念 (huáiniàn). While 回忆 is the act of remembering, 怀念 is the feeling of missing or yearning for something from the past. You 'recall' (回忆) your old school, but you 'miss' (怀念) your old school. If you are feeling nostalgic and sad that something is gone, 怀念 is the better choice. There is also 往事 (wǎngshì), which is a noun meaning 'past events.' It is often the object of 回忆, as in '回忆往事' (recalling past events). In literary contexts, you might see 追忆 (zhuīyì), which is a more formal, poetic way of saying 'to reminisce,' often used in the context of mourning or deep historical reflection.

这段回忆对我来说非常珍贵。

By learning these synonyms and their specific contexts, you can avoid repetitive language and express yourself with greater precision. For instance, in a diary entry, you might start by 'recalling' (回忆) the day's events, then mention how much you 'miss' (怀念) a friend who was there, and finally comment on how these 'past events' (往事) have become a 'precious memory' (珍贵的记忆) in your heart. This layering of vocabulary is what makes a speaker sound advanced and expressive.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character '回' is one of the few characters that looks like what it means—a circle within a circle, suggesting a return to the center or the start.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /huǐ.ì/

US /huǐ.ì/

The emphasis is slightly stronger on the second syllable 'yì' due to its fourth tone nature.

Rhymes With

对 (duì) 贵 (guì) 意 (yì) 地 (dì) 气 (qì) 力 (lì) 艺 (yì) 细 (xì)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'huí' as a flat tone.
Pronouncing 'yì' as a rising tone like 'yí'.
Mixing up 'ui' with 'iu'.
Failing to distinguish the 'h' sound from a hard 'k' sound.
Speaking both syllables with the same tone.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

The characters are relatively common and easy to recognize for A2 learners.

Writing 3/5

The character '忆' has a few strokes that require attention to detail.

Speaking 2/5

Easy to pronounce if you master the second and fourth tones.

Listening 2/5

Very common in songs and movies, making it easy to pick out.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

过去 (Past) 想 (Think) 记得 (Remember) 事情 (Things/Events) 美好 (Beautiful)

Learn Next

记忆 (Memory/Faculty) 怀念 (To miss) 经历 (Experience) 打算 (Plan/Future) 印象 (Impression)

Advanced

追忆 (To reminisce) 沧桑 (Vicissitudes) 缅怀 (To commemorate) 陈迹 (Traces of the past) 溯源 (To trace back to the source)

Grammar to Know

Directional Complement '起' (qǐ)

我突然回忆起他的名字。 (I suddenly recalled his name.)

Measure word '段' (duàn) for time periods

那是一段难忘的回忆。 (That was an unforgettable memory.)

Adjective + '的' + Noun

美好的回忆 (Beautiful memories).

Verb + '着' (zhe) for continuous state

他正沉浸在回忆着过去。 (He is immersed in reminiscing about the past.)

Potential complement '得起/不起'

我回忆不起细节了。 (I can't recall the details.)

Examples by Level

我有很多回忆。

I have many memories.

Subject + 有 + 很多 + 回忆.

这是我的回忆。

This is my memory.

Simple demonstrative sentence.

回忆很美。

Memories are beautiful.

Noun + Adjective (with implicit 'is').

他在回忆。

He is recalling.

Subject + 在 + Verb (progressive action).

不好的回忆。

Bad memories.

Adjective + 的 + Noun.

我有好回忆。

I have good memories.

Simplified version of '美好的回忆'.

我想回忆。

I want to recall.

Modal verb + Verb.

那是我们的回忆。

That is our memory.

Possessive pronoun + Noun.

我回忆起小时候的事情。

I recalled things from when I was little.

Use of '起' as a resultative complement.

那是一段美好的回忆。

That was a beautiful memory.

Measure word '段' for a period of time.

你还回忆得起他吗？

Can you still recall him?

Potential complement '得起'.

照片能帮我们回忆过去。

Photos can help us recall the past.

Verb '回忆' with object '过去'.

我不想回忆痛苦的事。

I don't want to recall painful things.

Negative '不想' + Verb.

我们一起回忆学校生活。

We recall school life together.

Adverb '一起' + Verb.

这是一份珍贵的回忆。

This is a precious memory.

Measure word '份' for abstract items.

他在回忆录里写了家乡。

He wrote about his hometown in his memoirs.

Noun '回忆录' (memoir).

这首歌勾起了我的童年回忆。

This song evoked my childhood memories.

Common collocation '勾起...回忆'.

我们要珍惜现在的回忆。

We should cherish our current memories.

Verb '珍惜' + Object '回忆'.

回忆往事让他感到快乐。

Recalling past events makes him feel happy.

Gerund-like use of '回忆往事' as subject.

他的脑海里浮现出往日的回忆。

Memories of the past emerged in his mind.

Literary verb '浮现' (emerge).

时间无法抹去这段回忆。

Time cannot erase this memory.

Verb '抹去' (erase) used metaphorically.

他正在努力回忆那个人的名字。

He is trying hard to recall that person's name.

Adverbial '努力' + Verb.

这些回忆对我来说非常重要。

These memories are very important to me.

Structure '对...来说' (to someone).

回忆是连接过去和现在的桥梁。

Memory is the bridge connecting the past and the present.

Metaphorical use of '回忆'.

每当回忆起那次旅行，我都会心一笑。

Whenever I recall that trip, I give a knowing smile.

Structure '每当...都...' (whenever...).

他用生动的语言回忆了当年的情景。

He recalled the scene of that year with vivid language.

Adjective '生动' modifying '语言'.

那些痛苦的回忆至今仍困扰着他。

Those painful memories still haunt him to this day.

Verb '困扰' (haunt/bother).

这种回忆带有一种淡淡的忧伤。

This kind of memory carries a faint sadness.

Adjective '淡淡的' (faint/light).

他在文章中深情地回忆了母亲。

He recalled his mother affectionately in the article.

Adverb '深情地' (affectionately).

回忆录的价值在于它的真实性。

The value of a memoir lies in its authenticity.

Abstract noun '真实性' (authenticity).

我们不应该沉溺于过去的回忆中。

We should not wallow in memories of the past.

Verb '沉溺' (wallow/indulge).

那段回忆已经变得模糊不清了。

That memory has already become blurred and unclear.

Idiom '模糊不清' (blurred/unclear).

回忆往往会被主观情感所重塑。

Memories are often reshaped by subjective emotions.

Passive structure '被...所...'

他试图通过回忆来寻找生命的意义。

He tries to find the meaning of life through recollection.

Structure '通过...来...' (through... to...).

这部电影是对一个时代的集体回忆。

This movie is a collective memory of an era.

Noun phrase '集体回忆' (collective memory).

回忆的碎片在深夜里不断涌现。

Fragments of memory constantly emerge in the deep of the night.

Metaphorical '碎片' (fragments).

他细致入微地回忆了实验的每一个步骤。

He recalled every step of the experiment in meticulous detail.

Idiom '细致入微' (meticulous).

这些回忆交织在一起，构成了他复杂的人格。

These memories are interwoven, forming his complex personality.

Verb '交织' (interweave).

他拒绝回忆那段让他蒙羞的历史。

He refuses to recall that period of history that brought him shame.

Verb '蒙羞' (to be shamed).

回忆是时间的余温，温暖着孤独的灵魂。

Memory is the residual warmth of time, warming the lonely soul.

Poetic metaphor.

回忆如同一面斑驳的古镜，折射出岁月的沧桑。

Memory is like a mottled ancient mirror, reflecting the vicissitudes of years.

Simile and advanced idiom '沧桑'.

他在晚年致力于撰写回忆录，以期留存历史真相。

In his later years, he dedicated himself to writing memoirs in hopes of preserving historical truth.

Formal verb '致力于' (dedicate to).

人类的文明在某种程度上是建立在共同回忆之上的。

Human civilization is, to some extent, built upon shared memories.

Abstract philosophical claim.

那些被尘封的回忆，在不经意间被开启了闸门。

Those dust-laden memories inadvertently had their floodgates opened.

Metaphorical '尘封' (dust-laden) and '闸门' (floodgate).

回忆的虚幻性使得我们永远无法真正回到过去。

The illusory nature of memory makes it impossible for us to truly return to the past.

Noun suffix '-性' for abstract qualities.

他以一种近乎残酷的冷静回忆着当年的背叛。

He recalled the betrayal of that year with a near-cruel calmness.

Complex adverbial phrase.

回忆不仅仅是复现，更是一种创造性的重构。

Memory is not just reproduction, but a creative reconstruction.

Structure '不仅仅是...更是...'.

在普鲁斯特的笔下，回忆具有了永恒的艺术生命力。

In Proust's writing, memory possesses an eternal artistic vitality.

Literary reference and formal tone.

Common Collocations

美好的回忆

痛苦的回忆

回忆起

勾起回忆

抹去回忆

珍贵的回忆

陷入回忆

集体回忆

回忆录

片段的回忆

Common Phrases

满满的回忆

— Full of memories. Used when something is very nostalgic.

这个老书包里满满的都是回忆。

回忆往事

— Recalling past events. A formal way to say reminiscing.

老友相聚，总喜欢回忆往事。

不忍回忆

— Cannot bear to recall. Used for very painful pasts.

那场灾难让他至今不忍回忆。

回忆过去

— Recalling the past. A general phrase for looking back.

人老了就喜欢回忆过去。

一段回忆

— A period of memory. '段' is the measure word for a span of time.

那是一段难忘的回忆。

共同的回忆

— Shared memories. Memories held by more than one person.

我们有很多共同的回忆。

抹不掉的回忆

— Unforgettable memories. Literally 'memories that can't be wiped away.'

那是他心中抹不掉的回忆。

回忆当年

— Recalling those years. Used when talking about a specific time in the past.

回忆当年，我们都还很年轻。

深藏在回忆里

— Deeply hidden in memories. Something cherished or kept secret.

那个秘密一直深藏在他的回忆里。

寻找回忆

— Searching for memories. Often used when visiting old places.

他回到母校，试图寻找当年的回忆。

Often Confused With

回忆 vs 记得

Remembering a fact vs. actively reminiscing.

回忆 vs 记忆

The biological storage vs. the act of recalling.

回忆 vs 背

Memorizing for a test vs. recalling a life event.

Idioms & Expressions

"回味无穷"

— Leaving a lasting, pleasant aftertaste; something worth reminiscing over.

那场演出精彩绝伦，令人回味无穷。

Literary/Common

"往事如烟"

— Past events are like smoke—fading away and hard to grasp.

几十年过去了，当年的恩怨早已往事如烟。

Literary

"历历在目"

— Vividly before one's eyes; memories that are very clear.

当年的情景至今依然历历在目。

Formal

"不堪回首"

— Cannot bear to look back; used for a painful or shameful past.

那段失败的经历真是不堪回首。

Formal

"记忆犹新"

— To remain fresh in one's memory.

虽然过了很久，但我对那件事依然记忆犹新。

Formal

"恍如隔世"

— As if from another world; used when a memory feels very distant.

回到阔别多年的故乡，感觉恍如隔世。

Literary

"浮想联翩"

— Thoughts and memories crowding into the mind.

看到这张照片，我不禁浮想联翩。

Literary

"物是非人"

— The things are the same but the people are different (nostalgia for lost friends).

回到旧居，物是非人，令人感伤。

Literary

"刻骨铭心"

— Engraved in one's heart and bones; an unforgettable memory.

那是一次刻骨铭心的教训。

Common

"流金岁月"

— Golden years; precious times from the past.

这部电影记录了那代人的流金岁月。

Literary

Easily Confused

回忆 vs 记忆

Both translate to 'memory' in English.

记忆 is the noun for the faculty or the data. 回忆 is the act of recalling or the emotional story.

我的记忆力不好 (My memory power is bad). 这是一段美好的回忆 (This is a beautiful memory).

回忆 vs 记得

Both translate to 'remember'.

记得 is passive (I haven't forgotten). 回忆 is active (I am searching my past).

你记得开会吗？ (Do you remember to meet?) 我在回忆童年 (I am recalling childhood).

回忆 vs 怀念

Both involve thinking of the past.

回忆 is neutral or positive recall. 怀念 involves a feeling of missing or yearning.

我回忆起那次聚会 (I recalled that party). 我很怀念那些老朋友 (I really miss those old friends).

回忆 vs 想起

Both mean bringing a memory to mind.

想起 is sudden and often for facts. 回忆 is a process and often for experiences.

我想起他的名字了 (I remembered his name). 我在回忆我们的过去 (I am recalling our past).

回忆 vs 追忆

Both mean to reminisce.

追忆 is much more formal and often used for people who are dead or a lost era.

他在追忆逝去的战友 (He is reminiscing about fallen comrades).

Sentence Patterns

我有[Adjective]回忆。

我有好回忆。

[Subject]回忆起[Object]。

我回忆起我的家乡。

[Something]勾起了我的回忆。

这封信勾起了我的回忆。

那是[Measure Word]...的回忆。

那是一段开心的回忆。

每当...，我都会回忆起...。

每当看到这张照片，我都会回忆起那次旅行。

[Subject]陷入了...的回忆中。

老教授陷入了对往事的回忆中。

回忆是...的桥梁/纽带。

回忆是连接我们友谊的纽带。

[Subject]致力于撰写回忆录。

他在退休后致力于撰写个人回忆录。

Word Family

Nouns

回忆录 (Memoir)

回忆录作者 (Memoirist)

Verbs

回忆 (To recall)

Adjectives

回忆性的 (Recollective/Memorial)

记忆 (Memory/Faculty)

纪念 (Commemorate)

怀念 (To miss)

追忆 (To reminisce)

往事 (Past events)

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in emotional and narrative contexts; lower in technical or scientific contexts.

Common Mistakes

Using 回忆 for computer memory. → 使用 '内存' (nèicún).
回忆 is only for human experiences and thoughts, never for machines.
Saying '我回忆带伞' (I recall to bring umbrella). → 我记得带伞 (I remember to bring umbrella).
回忆 is for the past, not for remembering to perform a current or future task.
Using 回忆 to mean 'memorize' a list. → 使用 '背' (bèi) or '记' (jì).
回忆 is for things you already know or experienced, not the act of putting new info into your head.
Saying '我的回忆力很好' (My recall-power is good). → 我的记忆力很好 (My memory-power is good).
Memory as a biological faculty is always '记忆力'.
Confusing 回忆 with 怀念 in a neutral context. → Use 回忆 for neutral recall; use 怀念 only when you miss it.
If you just remember a fact about the past without emotion, '回忆' is better. '怀念' implies longing.

Tips

Use '起' for action

When using 回忆 as a verb, adding '起' (huíyì qǐ) makes the sentence sound more dynamic and natural, indicating the moment the memory comes to mind.

Pair with '勾起'

Learn the phrase '勾起回忆' (evoke memories). It's a very common way to describe how music, food, or photos trigger nostalgia.

Distinguish from 记得

Use 记得 for facts (names, times, tasks). Use 回忆 for stories and experiences from your life history.

Measure your memories

Always use '段' (duàn) as the measure word for a period of memories. It adds a sense of time and narrative flow to your writing.

Nostalgia is key

Understand that '回忆' often carries a sentimental weight in Chinese. It's not just data retrieval; it's often an emotional reflection.

Tone Accuracy

Ensure the fourth tone on 'yì' is sharp. If it sounds like a second tone, it might be confused with '姨' (aunt) or other characters.

Contextual Clues

If you hear '回忆' in a song, expect words like '眼泪' (tears), '过去' (past), or '美好' (beautiful) to follow.

Make it personal

Practice by writing down one '美好的回忆' from your childhood every day to get used to the word's noun usage.

Learn '回忆录'

If you are reading biographies, look for the word '回忆录'. It's an essential term for historical and biographical literature.

Bonding

Use '我们一起回忆一下' (Let's recall together) to start a bonding conversation with Chinese friends about shared experiences.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of '回' as a 'return' button and '忆' as your 'inner thoughts.' Pressing '回忆' is like hitting the return button on your thoughts to see where you've been.

Visual Association

Imagine a person standing in a circle (回) with a heart (忄) inside, looking back at a path they already walked.

Word Web

Past Heart Return Story Nostalgia Photo Time Mind

Challenge

Try to write three sentences about your favorite childhood toy using the word '回忆' in at least one of them.

Word Origin

The word is composed of two characters: '回' (huí) and '忆' (yì). '回' is a pictograph representing something turning or returning. '忆' consists of the 'heart' radical (忄) and the phonetic component '意' (yì - meaning/thought).

Original meaning: The combination literally means 'the heart/mind returning to a thought' or 'returning to past feelings.'

Sino-Tibetan, Sinitic.

Cultural Context

Be mindful when asking older Chinese people to '回忆' certain periods of history (like the 1960s or 70s), as these may trigger complex or painful emotions.

English speakers often use 'memory' for both biological storage and the act of reminiscing. In Chinese, you must be more specific. '回忆' is specifically for the 'reminiscing' part.

《回忆录》(Memoirs) - A common title for autobiographies of famous Chinese leaders and writers. Jay Chou's song '回到过去' (Return to the Past) which heavily features themes of 回忆. The classic film 'In the Mood for Love' (花样年华) which is essentially a long, visual 回忆.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Looking at old photos

这张照片勾起了我的回忆。
我们一起来回忆那次旅行吧。
这是我最珍贵的回忆。
我都快没回忆了。

Talking to an old friend

你还回忆得起我们以前的老师吗？
咱们有很多共同的回忆。
回忆当年，我们真年轻。
别老是活在回忆里。

Writing a diary or blog

今天，我回忆了过去一年的生活。
这段回忆将永远留在我心中。
回忆往事，感慨万千。
我想写一本回忆录。

Listening to music

这首歌让我想起了很多回忆。
满满的回忆杀。
歌词里写的都是回忆。
回忆是苦涩的。

Historical documentary

老兵在回忆当年的战争。
这是城市的集体回忆。
回忆历史，珍惜和平。
他的回忆具有很高的史料价值。

Conversation Starters

"你最美好的童年回忆是什么？ (What is your most beautiful childhood memory?)"

"哪首歌会勾起你的回忆？ (Which song evokes memories for you?)"

"你喜欢回忆过去，还是展望未来？ (Do you like recalling the past or looking forward to the future?)"

"你还回忆得起第一次来中国的情景吗？ (Can you still recall the scene of when you first came to China?)"

"你觉得回忆对一个人重要吗？ (Do you think memories are important to a person?)"

Journal Prompts

写一段你最难忘的旅行回忆。 (Write a paragraph about your most unforgettable travel memory.)

回忆一下你最好的朋友，你们是怎么认识的？ (Recall your best friend; how did you meet?)

如果时间可以倒流，你最想回到哪段回忆中？ (If time could turn back, which memory would you most like to return to?)

描述一件虽然痛苦但让你成长的回忆。 (Describe a memory that was painful but made you grow.)

你认为哪些东西最能勾起人的回忆？ (What things do you think most evoke people's memories?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, absolutely not. For computer RAM, use '内存' (nèicún). For storage capacity, use '存储' (cúnchǔ). '回忆' is strictly for human mental experiences.

Not necessarily. While often used for '美好的回忆' (beautiful memories), it can also be used for '痛苦的回忆' (painful memories) or '不忍回忆' (cannot bear to recall).

They are very similar. '回想' is almost always a verb and focuses more on the mental effort to remember a specific detail. '回忆' is more general and can be a noun.

It's better to say '我有这段回忆' (I have this memory) or '我记得' (I remember). '我有回忆' sounds incomplete on its own.

The word is '回忆录' (huíyìlù). It is used for books where people write down their life stories.

The most common measure word is '段' (duàn), which refers to a segment or period of time. You can also use '个' (gè) for a single memory.

Usually, no. If you are trying to remember where you put your keys 5 minutes ago, use '想' or '记得'. '回忆' implies a longer distance in time.

It is a verb-complement structure. '回忆' is the verb, and '起' is the resultative complement indicating the memory has surfaced.

No, the word for 'commemorate' or 'memorialize' is '纪念' (jìniàn). '回忆' is the internal mental act.

It's a slang term (Memory Kill) used when something, like a remake of an old cartoon, is so nostalgic that it 'kills' you with emotions.