return something intact to its owner; restore undamaged
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesidiom
to return the original object intact and undamaged to its owner; to return something in perfect condition
literaryDerived from a Warring States period story where Lin Xiangru returned the precious He Shi Bi (jade) to the State of Zhao. Used in both formal and informal contexts when returning borrowed items.
Nǐ你
fàng放
xīn心
，
jiè借
nǐ你
de的
shū书
wǒ我
huì会
wán完
bì璧
guī归
zhào赵
de的
。
Don't worry, I'll return your book intact.
Zhè这
jiàn件
wén文
wù物
yǐ已
jīng经
xiū修
fù复
wán完
bì毕
，
xiàn现
zài在
wán完
bì璧
guī归
zhào赵
，
jiāo交
huán还
gěi给
bó博
wù物
guǎn馆
。
This cultural relic has been fully restored and is now being returned intact to the museum.
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Tā他
dā答
yìng应
sān三
tiān天
hòu后
wán完
bì璧
guī归
zhào赵
，
bǎ把
jiè借
zǒu走
de的
xiàng相
jī机
huán还
huí回
lái来
。
He promised to return the borrowed camera intact after three days.
Wán完
bì璧
guī归
zhào赵
，
qǐng请
chá查
shōu收
。
Returning this to you intact; please check and receive.