baak6 waa2 man4白話文白话文
Jyutpingbaak6 waa2 man4
Yalebaahk wá màhn
Definition
Vernacular written Chinese, based on modern spoken Mandarin, as opposed to classical Chinese.
neutralschoolcommunication
How it's used
Refers specifically to the modern standard written Chinese that emerged during the May Fourth Movement. While it is based on Mandarin grammar and vocabulary, it is the standard medium for all formal writing in Hong Kong, including newspapers and official documents. It is distinct from spoken Cantonese, which retains its own unique grammar and vocabulary that often differs significantly from this written standard.
Measure word
pin1篇pīnExamples
This vernacular essay is written in a very simple and clear way.
Related words
Common phrases
Vernacular Chinese movement
Simple vernacular Chinese
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with spoken Cantonese. Writing exactly how you speak in Cantonese is often considered informal or dialectal, whereas白話文 is the accepted standard for formal written communication.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
