bei6 naan4避難避难
Jyutpingbei6 naan4
Yalebeih nàahn
Definition
To seek refuge; to escape or find shelter from danger, disaster, or calamity.
neutralother
How it's used
Primarily used in formal or serious contexts involving natural disasters or war. It carries a sense of urgency and necessity, distinguishing it from simply hiding or staying away from a place. While it can be used in casual conversation, it often implies a significant threat to personal safety.
Examples
When a typhoon hits, everyone needs to seek refuge.
Where are you planning to go to seek refuge?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 避開, which simply means to avoid or dodge something minor, like a person or a small obstacle. 避難 specifically requires a context of danger or disaster.
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.



