bui3 fan6輩分辈分
Jyutpingbui3 fan6
Yalebui fahn
Definition
One's position in a family hierarchy or seniority within an organization.
neutralfamilypeople
How it's used
Refers specifically to the relative social or family standing determined by generation or length of service. It is distinct from age, as one can be younger in years but higher in rank due to family lineage or earlier entry into a group. The term is essential for navigating the complex web of honorifics and social expectations in traditional settings.
Examples
Even though he is young, his seniority is very high.
Do you know how their family hierarchy is calculated?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with age, but it is strictly about hierarchical position. Being older does not automatically grant a higher rank if the other person belongs to an older generation in the family tree.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
