bun2 fan6本分
Jyutpingbun2 fan6
Yalebún fahn
Definition
One's duty, role, obligation, or the responsibilities associated with one's status.
neutralpeopledaily actions
How it's used
Refers to the moral or social expectation that a person should act according to their specific role or station in life. It carries a sense of humility and stability, implying that one should not overreach or interfere with matters outside their responsibility. It is frequently used when advising someone to stay focused on their own tasks rather than being nosy or ambitious in an inappropriate way.
Examples
The most important thing in life is to stick to your own duties.
Related words
Common phrases
to stick to one's role
to be content with one's lot and do one's duty
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 責任, which is a broader term for general responsibility. While 責任 can be assigned by others, 本分 implies an inherent, expected duty tied to one's identity or position.
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.
