Hark back to Meaning in English
expression
ˈhɑɹk/ /ˈbæk/ /ˈtu/, /tə/, /tɪ
HARK-bak-too, HARK-bak-tuh, HARK-bak-tih
hˈɑːk/ /bˈæk/ /tˈuː
HAHK-bak-TOO
Definition
To refer back to or remember something from an earlier time; to be reminiscent of the past.
Usage & Nuances
This is a slightly formal, literary, or descriptive phrase. Often used to describe objects, styles, stories, or comments that resemble or refer to the past. Can be used for nostalgia ('harks back to childhood') or design ('harks back to the 1950s'). Rare in casual speech.
Spanish: remontarse a - hacer referencia aPortuguese (BR): remeter a - fazer referência aPortuguese (PT): remeter a - fazer referência aChinese (Simplified): 追溯到 - 回忆起Chinese (Traditional): 追溯到 - 回想起Hindi: की ओर लौटना - पिछली बात को याद करनाArabic: يعود إلى - يرجع إلىBengali: ফিরে তাকানো - স্মরণ করাRussian: отсылать к - напоминать о (прошлом)Japanese: 〜を思い出させる - さかのぼるVietnamese: nhắc lại - quay trở lại (quá khứ)Korean: 거슬러 올라가다 - 상기시키다Turkish: atıfta bulunmak - geçmişe dönmekUrdu: واپس جانا (ماضی کی طرف) - پرانی بات کو یاد کرناIndonesian: mengacu kembali ke - teringat kembali
Example Sentences
This building's design harks back to the 1800s.
basic
Many of the traditions hark back to ancient times.
basic
His storytelling style harks back to his childhood.
basic
Her fashion sense really harks back to the '70s.
natural
A lot of modern pop music harks back to sounds from the '80s.
natural
When you tell that story, it really harks back to our college days.
natural