bun3 haam4 taam5半鹹淡半咸淡
Jyutpingbun3 haam4 taam5
Yalebun hàahm táahm
Definition
Speaking with a non-standard, mixed accent from more than one language.
colloquialcommunicationdescriptions
How it's used
Originally referring to a mixture of Cantonese and English, this term now describes any speech that sounds like a clumsy blend of two or more languages. It carries a slightly mocking or teasing tone, implying that the speaker is not fluent in either language. It is most commonly used to describe someone who tries to sound like a native speaker but fails to master the authentic rhythm or pronunciation.
Examples
His Cantonese is a bit broken and mixed, it sounds quite funny.
Common phrases
to speak with a mixed, broken accent
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe a language that is simply difficult to understand due to a dialect; it specifically refers to the unnatural, hybrid quality of someone trying to speak a language they have not fully acquired.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
