faan1 saang1返生
Jyutpingfaan1 saang1
Yalefāan sāang
Definition
To come back to life; to be resurrected.
colloquialdaily actionsother
How it's used
Beyond its literal meaning of resurrection, this term is frequently used metaphorically to describe reviving inanimate objects like broken electronics or failing businesses. It carries a sense of miraculous recovery or a sudden return to functionality after a state of total failure. When referring to people, it is often used hyperbolically to describe someone who has narrowly escaped a life threatening situation.
Examples
He was so sick he almost died, luckily he came back to life in the end.
This old computer has been broken for so long, how can I make it come back to life?
Related words
Common phrases
to have a narrow escape from death
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 翻生, which is a common variant spelling for the same concept. While both are acceptable, 返生 is often used when emphasizing the act of returning, whereas 翻生 is more commonly seen in the set phrase 死過翻生.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
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- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).



