bei2 jan4畀人
Jyutpingbei2 jan4
Yalebéi yàhn
Definition
By someone; used to indicate the passive voice where the agent is a person.
colloquialdaily actionspeople
How it's used
Functions as the primary way to express the passive voice in Cantonese, effectively replacing the formal 被 structure. It implies that the agent is a person or a group of people, rather than an inanimate force. When the agent is not human, speakers often prefer using other constructions or rephrasing the sentence to be active.
Examples
Related words
Common phrases
to be scolded by someone
to be cheated by someone
to be robbed
Common mistake
Avoid using 畀人 with inanimate agents, as it sounds unnatural to attribute human-like actions to objects. For example, saying 畀人落雨淋濕 is incorrect; instead, use 畀雨淋濕.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- 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.
