gwai1 waan4歸還归还
Jyutpinggwai1 waan4
Yalegwāi wàahn
Definition
To return something borrowed to its original owner.
writtendaily actions
How it's used
归还 is a formal term primarily used in written contexts or official notices, such as library signs or rental agreements. In everyday spoken Cantonese, people almost exclusively use the phrasal verb 俾返 to express the act of returning something to its owner. Using 归还 in casual conversation can sound overly stiff or like you are reading from a manual.
Examples
When will you finally return the book to me?
Remember to return the library books, don't be late.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often use 归还 in casual speech where 俾返 is much more natural. It is also important to remember that 归还 implies returning something borrowed, whereas 俾返 is a general term for giving something back regardless of whether it was borrowed or just handed over.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Classifier
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Grammar guides
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- 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).
