48.3 The Verbal Particle 返 / 番 / 翻 faan1 IV
In Grammar and Vocabulary 32.5, we learned that the verb particle 返 faan1 (also written as 番 or 翻) can add the meaning of ‘left’ to the sentence. In Grammar and Vocabulary 34.4 and 39.4, we learned that the 返 faan1 can also add the meaning of ‘back’ to the sentence.
The verb particle 返 faan1 has a more abstract use. We sometimes use 返 faan1 with an action to indicate that the action is good for the listener or the speaker ourselves. Note that we usually only use 返 faan1 this way in certain expressions.
For example, in Hong Kong, we use a stored-value card called the Octopus card. When we top up the Octopus card at a store, the shopkeeper will sometimes say the following expression before we leave.
留意返餘額。
lau4 ji3 faan1 jyu4 ngaak2.
Pay attention to the remaining value [the balance of the Octopus card].
The verb particle 返 faan1 is added here to indicate that the action 留意餘額 lau4 ji3 jyu4 ngaak2 (‘to pay attention to the remaining value’) is good for the listener. 留意餘額 lau4 ji3 jyu4 ngaak2 is good for the listener because the listener can check whether their card has been topped up successfully.
We will see more examples in later lessons.