gwai1 sam1 ci5 zin3歸心似箭归心似箭
Jyutpinggwai1 sam1 ci5 zin3
Yalegwāi sām chíh jin
Definition
To long eagerly to return home or to a beloved person.
neutralemotionhome
How it's used
Expresses a deep, almost physical yearning to return to a place or person that holds emotional significance. While it is a four character idiom, it is frequently used in casual conversation to describe the feeling of wanting to leave work or school to get home. It implies that the desire to return is so strong that it feels like an arrow flying towards its target.
Examples
He was longing to get home after work, so he rushed to catch the bus.
Are you eager to get home to see your family?
Related words
Common phrases
in a state of longing to return
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe a simple desire to go somewhere for fun or errands, as it specifically carries a sense of emotional attachment or homesickness. It is not meant for casual trips like going to the supermarket.
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.
