wan4 gwai1 tin1 gwok3魂歸天國魂归天国
Jyutpingwan4 gwai1 tin1 gwok3
Yalewàhn gwāi tīn gwok
Definition
To die (used of Christians); literally, for the soul to return to heaven.
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How it's used
This phrase is specifically reserved for the death of Christians, reflecting the belief that the soul returns to God. It carries a respectful and solemn tone, making it appropriate for obituaries or when speaking to church members. Avoid using it for non-Christians, as it would be culturally inaccurate and potentially confusing to the listener.
Examples
His grandfather passed away last month.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use this phrase for anyone who has died, but it is strictly tied to Christian terminology. Using it for someone of a different faith or belief system is considered inappropriate.
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.
