jin4 gwai1 zing3 zyun6言歸正傳言归正传

Jyutpingjin4 gwai1 zing3 zyun6

Yaleyìhn gwāi jing jyuhn

Rare

Definition

To return to the subject; to get back to the main point instead of talking about trivial matters.

colloquialcommunicationwork

How it's used

Functions as a formal idiom that is frequently used in casual conversation to signal a shift in focus back to the primary agenda. It acts as a verbal reset button when a conversation has drifted into small talk or jokes. Despite its classical structure, it is perfectly natural to use in everyday office or social settings.

Examples

hou2好laa3喇，jin4言gwai1歸zing3正zyun2傳，nei5你fan2份bou3報gou3告se2寫sing4成dim2點aa3呀？

Alright, back to the main point, how is your report coming along?

m4唔hou2好gong2講siu3笑zyu6住，jin4言gwai1歸zing3正zyun2傳，ting1聽jat6日gei2幾dim2點hoi1開wui2會？

Stop joking for a moment, let's get back to business, what time is the meeting tomorrow?

Common phrases

jin4言gwai1歸zing3正zyun2傳laa1啦

let's get back to the point

Common mistake

Avoid using this in overly casual or intimate settings with close friends, as it can sound slightly stiff or like you are trying to lecture them. It is best reserved for when you need to steer a group back to a specific task or topic.