ban1瀕濒
Jyutpingban1
Yalebān
Definition
On the brink of, on the verge of, or close to a certain state or boundary.
writtendescriptions
How it's used
Used almost exclusively in formal or written contexts to describe negative situations reaching a critical point. It is rarely heard in casual daily speech, where speakers prefer phrases like 就嚟或者差唔多。When it does appear in spoken Cantonese, it is usually part of fixed, serious expressions like 瀕臨絕種 or 瀕臨崩潰.
Examples
This kind of animal is already on the verge of extinction.
His company is on the brink of bankruptcy, it is so miserable.
Related words
Common phrases
on the verge of extinction
on the brink of a breakdown
on the verge of bankruptcy
Common mistake
Do not use this word to describe positive events like being on the verge of success. It carries a strong negative connotation and is strictly reserved for impending disasters or undesirable outcomes.
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.
