回忆录
huí yì lù · HSK 7
memoir
📔 回忆 recall + 录 record = a recall-record, i.e. a memoir of a life recollected
回 (return) + 忆 (remember) make 回忆, to recall; 录 means to record. A 回忆录 is a recorded set of recollections: a memoir. The 忆 character carries the heart radical 忄, marking it as an act of the mind.
回 — enclosure 囗 + smaller 囗 inside
回 is a pictograph of a swirling whirlpool or coiled spiral, shown as nested squares in modern form. The original meaning was 'to revolve' or 'turn around,' which extended to 'return' and 'a time/occurrence.' It also appears as a phonetic in characters like 茴 and 廻.
录 — 彐 (hand) + 氺 (water/threads)
Originally depicted a hand carving or inscribing characters, with the lower element suggesting shavings or marks. The early meaning was 'to carve' or 'to engrave', which extended to 'to record' or 'to write down'. Today it primarily means 'to record' or 'copy'.