au1 faa3歐化欧化
Jyutpingau1 faa3
Yaleāu fa
Definition
Europeanized; westernized in style or influence.
neutralcommunicationdescriptions
How it's used
Refers specifically to Chinese writing or speech that adopts the grammatical structures and syntax of European languages, often through direct translation. It is frequently used to critique prose that feels unnatural or clunky because it forces English sentence patterns into Cantonese or written Chinese. The term carries a slightly negative connotation, implying that the language has lost its native rhythm.
Examples
The way he speaks is very Europeanized, it sounds like he is translating.
Common phrases
Europeanized Chinese
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with simply using loanwords from English. It refers to the structural influence on sentence construction, such as the overuse of passive voice or complex relative clauses that are not native to Chinese.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
