aan3晏
Jyutpingaan3
Yaleaan
Definition
Lunch; short for 晏晝飯.
colloquialfooddaily actions
How it's used
Using 晏 as a standalone noun for lunch is very common in casual speech, acting as a shortened form of 晏晝飯. While it functions as a noun, it is almost exclusively used as the object of the verb 食. It carries a relaxed, informal tone that makes it perfect for daily conversation with friends or colleagues.
Measure word
caan1餐chānExamples
I have an appointment to have lunch with a friend this afternoon.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse 晏 with 晏晝, which refers to the time of day, afternoon. While 晏 can mean lunch, it cannot be used to mean afternoon in the same way 晏晝 is used.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
