34.4 The Verbal Particle 返 / 番 / 翻 faan1 II (‘back’)
In Grammar and Vocabulary 32.5, we learned that the verbal particle 返 faan1 (also written as 番 or 翻) can add the meaning of ‘left’ to the sentence (as in there are two cans of beer left).
The verbal particle 返 faan1 can also add the meaning of ‘back’ to the sentence (as in let me give you back the card). We can use 返 faan1 to indicate that something is returned to someone.
俾返張卡你先呀吓。
bei2 faan1 zoeng1 kaat1 nei5 sin1 aa3 haa2.
I will give the card back to you first.
返 faan1 is used to indicate that the card will be given back to the listener (the gust).
請問要唔要返張單嘅？
cing2 man6 jiu3 m4 jiu3 faan1 zoeng1 daan1 ge2?
May I ask if you want the receipt back?
返 faan1 is used to ask if the listener (the guest) wants the receipt back. 返 faan1 is used here because the receipt is something the listener can have and is held by the speaker (the server) temporarily. It can be returned to the listener if needed.