Definition
还手 is a separable verb (离合词) meaning 'to hit back' or 'to retaliate physically'. The verb 还 and the object 手 can split when inserting aspect markers, measure words, or durations — e.g. 还了手 ('hit back'), 还过一次手 ('retaliated once'). It's typically used in contexts of self-defense or fighting back after being attacked.
v.o.
to hit backto retaliate physically
Examples
- ，还手。Tā bèi rén dǎ le, dàn méiyǒu huán shǒu.He was hit by someone, but he didn't hit back.
- ，。Duìfāng xiān dòng shǒu, tā cái huán le yí cì shǒu.The other side struck first, and only then did he hit back once.
- 还手，。Tā qì de xiǎng huán shǒu, dàn rěn zhù le.He was so angry he wanted to hit back, but he held himself back.
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