wán完intactbì璧jadeguī归returnZhào赵Zhao
Return the jade intact to Zhao — return something safely and in full.
Literal meaning
intact (完) — jade (璧) — return (归) — Zhao (赵)
Origin
Records of the Grand Historian. Lin Xiangru (蔺相如) was sent by the king of Zhao to bring the precious He Shi Bi (和氏璧) jade to the king of Qin, who promised cities in exchange. Lin recognised the king of Qin had no intention of paying, smuggled the jade back to Zhao, and returned safely. The phrase has stood for safely returning entrusted property ever since.
Examples
Wǒ我huì会bǎ把zhè这běn本shū书wán完bì璧guī归Zhào赵。
I'll return this book to you safe and sound.
Diū丢shī失de的wén文wù物zhōng终yú于wán完bì璧guī归Zhào赵。
The lost cultural relic was finally returned intact.
Usage & nuances
Used for safely returning entrusted property — common when borrowing books, equipment, or being asked to return artefacts.
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