jyun4 bik1 gwai1 ziu6完璧歸趙完璧归赵
Jyutpingjyun4 bik1 gwai1 ziu6
Yaleyùhn bīk gwāi jiuh
Definition
To return something to its rightful owner in perfect condition and without any damage.
writtendaily actions
How it's used
Originating from a famous historical anecdote in the Records of the Grand Historian, this idiom is used to describe returning a borrowed item in its original, pristine state. While it carries a formal, literary weight, Hong Kongers often use it playfully or slightly ironically when returning a mundane item like a book, a tool, or even a borrowed charger. It implies a sense of responsibility and care for the owner's property.
Examples
I borrowed your book, and now I am returning it to you in perfect condition.
I have washed your shirt clean, here it is back to you in perfect condition.
Related words
Common phrases
an attitude of returning things in perfect condition
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a simple way to say return, but it specifically emphasizes that the item is undamaged and complete. Using it for something that is broken or incomplete sounds sarcastic or confusing.
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.
