faan2 pok3 gwai1 zan1反璞歸真反璞归真
Jyutpingfaan2 pok3 gwai1 zan1
Yalefáan pok gwāi jān
Definition
To return to one's original state of purity, simplicity, and truth.
neutraldescriptionsother
How it's used
This idiom describes a conscious choice to strip away the complexities and artificiality of modern life. It is often used to describe someone who moves away from a high pressure, materialistic environment to live a quiet, natural existence. While it sounds poetic, it is frequently used in serious discussions about lifestyle choices or personal philosophy.
Examples
After retiring, his life returned to simplicity.
Seeking a return to simplicity is a kind of life attitude.
Related words
Common phrases
to live a simple, unadorned life
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use this to describe physical objects that are simple, but it specifically refers to a state of being or a way of living. It is not used to describe a simple tool or a plain piece of clothing.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
