baak6 waa2白話白话

Jyutpingbaak6 waa2

Yalebaahk wá

名詞Uncommon

Definition

Vernacular language, or a term for the Cantonese language.

vernacular style of writing or speaking as opposed to classical Chinese
the Cantonese language, especially as referred to in Guangdong and Guangxi

colloquialcommunication

How it's used

Refers specifically to the spoken vernacular as opposed to formal or literary language. In the context of Guangdong and Guangxi, it is the standard term used by locals to describe the Cantonese language itself. It carries a sense of accessibility and directness, contrasting with the rigid structures of classical writing.

Examples

nei5你gong2講baak6白waa6話dak1得m4唔dak1得aa4呀？

Can you speak in plain, everyday language?

le1呢bun2本syu1書jung6用baak6白waa2話se2寫，hou2好jik6易ming4明。

This book is written in vernacular, it is very easy to understand.

Common phrases

gong2講baak6白waa6話

to speak in vernacular

baak6白waa2話man4文

vernacular writing

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with the Mandarin term Baihua, which refers to Modern Written Chinese. In Hong Kong, people rarely use this word to describe the Cantonese language, preferring 廣東話 instead.