return to the origin; ultimate belonging
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 5 examplesverb
to return to where one came from; to be ultimately attributable to
formalOften used metaphorically. The idiom '叶落归根' is the most common fixed phrase. Can also be used to describe abstract concepts finding their ultimate cause or source.
Piāo漂
bó泊
bàn半
shēng生
，
tā他
zuì最
zhōng终
hái还
shì是
xuǎn选
zé择
le了
yè叶
luò落
guī归
gēn根
。
After drifting for half a lifetime, he ultimately chose to return to his roots like a leaf falling to its tree.
Zhè这
jiàn件
shì事
zhuī追
gēn根
jiū究
dǐ底
，
wèn问
tí题
hái还
shì是
chū出
zài在
guǎn管
lǐ理
shàng上
。
Guī归
gēn根
dào到
dǐ底
，
shì是
zhì制
dù度
de的
wèn问
tí题
。
When we get to the root of this matter, the problem still lies in management. Ultimately, it's a problem with the system.
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Xǔ许
duō多
hǎi海
wài外
huá华
rén人
dōu都
yǒu有
rèn认
zǔ祖
guī归
gēn根
de的
qíng情
jié结
。
Many overseas Chinese have a complex about tracing their ancestry and returning to their roots.
Suǒ所
yǒu有
de的
fēn纷
zhēng争
，
guī归
gēn根
jié结
dǐ底
dōu都
shì是
lì利
yì益
fēn分
pèi配
de的
wèn问
tí题
。
All disputes, in the final analysis, are problems of interest distribution.
Tā他
lǚ旅
jū居
guó国
wài外
sān三
shí十
nián年
，
zhōng终
yú于
luò落
yè叶
guī归
gēn根
，
huí回
dào到
le了
gù故
xiāng乡
。
Having lived abroad for thirty years, he finally returned to his hometown, like a fallen leaf returning to its roots.