gaau1 waan4交還交还
Jyutpinggaau1 waan4
Yalegāau wàahn
Definition
To return or give something back.
neutraldaily actionswork
How it's used
This term carries a formal or administrative tone, often used in contexts involving official procedures, legal obligations, or returning borrowed property to institutions. While it implies the act of giving back, it lacks the casual feel of using 畀返, which is preferred in everyday social interactions between friends.
Examples
When are you returning the book to the library?
He has already returned the keys to the landlord.
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this in casual settings like returning a pen to a friend, as it sounds overly bureaucratic or stiff. Use 畀返 instead for informal situations.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
