jat1 heoi3 bat1 faan2一去不返

Jyutpingjat1 heoi3 bat1 faan2

Yaleyāt heui bāt fáan

Definition

Gone forever; describing people or things that depart and will never return.

writtentimepeople

How it's used

This idiom carries a heavy, often melancholic tone, frequently used to describe the irreversible nature of time or the permanent departure of someone. It is more literary than everyday speech, so it is often reserved for dramatic situations or reflective moments. Using it for trivial matters can sound overly poetic or exaggerated.

Examples

ni1呢ci3次fan1分hoi1開zi1之hau6後，keoi5佢zan1真hai6係jat1一heoi3去bat1不faan1返laa3喇。

After we parted this time, he really is gone for good.

cing1青ceon1春jat1一heoi3去bat1不faan1返，nei5你zung6仲m4唔faai3快di1啲heoi3去wun6玩？

Youth is gone forever, why don't you go out and have fun?

Common phrases

si4時gwong1光jat1一heoi3去bat1不faan1返

time gone by never returns

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a simple way to say someone is going out, but it implies a sense of finality or tragedy that makes it inappropriate for casual errands or short trips.