bin1 jyun4邊緣边缘
Jyutpingbin1 jyun4
Yalebīn yùhn
Definition
The brink, edge, or margin of something.
- a critical moment, brink, or verge of an abstract event
- figurativemarginalized; rejected or excluded from the societal mainstream
neutraldescriptionspeople
How it's used
Focuses primarily on abstract concepts like psychological states, social status, or critical situations rather than physical geography. When discussing physical objects like the edge of a table or a cliff, use 邊沿 instead to avoid sounding overly dramatic or metaphorical. It frequently appears in formal contexts or serious discussions about societal issues, such as those living on the fringes of mainstream culture.
Examples
Their relationship is already on the verge of breaking down.
Are you trying to test the limits of my patience?
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe the physical edge of a physical object, as that is the domain of 邊沿. Using it for a physical object can make the sentence sound like a poetic or existential metaphor rather than a literal description.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
