baak3 bun1百般
Definition
By every possible means, in every possible way, or using all sorts of methods.
How it's used
Often carries a negative or weary connotation, implying that someone is going to extreme or excessive lengths to achieve a specific, usually obstructive or manipulative, goal. It frequently appears in contexts involving conflict or interpersonal friction, such as someone making excuses or creating obstacles. While it can describe positive efforts, it is far more common in everyday speech to highlight someone's annoying or persistent behavior.
Examples
Related words
Common phrases
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a neutral way to say 'various methods', but it is almost always used to describe behavior that is perceived as excessive, annoying, or insincere. Using it to describe a neutral or helpful action can sound unnatural or overly dramatic.
Grammar color guide
Grammar guides
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
