ban1賁贲
Jyutpingban1
Yalebān
Definition
Cardia, or to forge ahead.
- technicalcardia; the upper opening of the stomach
- literaryto forge ahead
colloquialbodydaily actions
How it's used
Describes an intense, forceful, or relentless effort, often used when someone is pushing themselves to the limit physically or mentally. It carries a sense of being 'stuffed' or 'full' of energy to the point of bursting, which is why it is also used to describe the cardia or the upper opening of the stomach. In casual speech, it is frequently used to describe someone who is overexerting themselves.
Examples
He is running so hard, as if he doesn't need to catch his breath.
You are working so intensely, be careful your body won't hold up.
Related words
Common phrases
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the formal literary term for 'ornamented' or 'bright' which shares the same character but has a completely different pronunciation and meaning in classical texts. In modern Cantonese, the colloquial usage focuses on the intensity of action or the physical sensation of fullness.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- 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.
