When combined, 回 (huí) and 家 (jiā) literally mean “return [to] home,” creating a powerful and direct verb phrase that is central to daily life and culture.
In Chinese culture, the family (家) is the fundamental unit of society, and one's connection to it is a primary source of identity. The act of 回家 (huí jiā) is therefore imbued with immense cultural weight. A useful comparison is with the American concept of “going home.” While an American might say “I'm going home” to refer to their temporary apartment in a new city, the Chinese concept of 家 (jiā) is often more deeply tied to one's place of origin and their parents' home (老家, lǎojiā). For millions of migrant workers in China, “home” isn't the city where they work, but the village or town where their family lives. This concept is most powerfully demonstrated during the Spring Festival (Chinese New Year). The massive, nationwide travel rush known as 春运 (chūnyùn) is driven by a single, collective goal: to 回家 for a family reunion (团圆, tuányuán). This act reinforces the cultural values of filial piety (孝, xiào) and collectivism, where the well-being and togetherness of the family unit is paramount. To 回家 is to fulfill a social and emotional duty, reaffirming one's place within the family and community.
回家 is one of the most common phrases in daily conversation. It's used in a wide variety of contexts, almost always with a warm and positive connotation.
The term is informal enough for daily use but universal enough to be understood in any context.