caan4 po3殘破残破
Jyutpingcaan4 po3
Yalechàahn po
Definition
Dilapidated, ruined, or broken due to damage or lack of maintenance.
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How it's used
Focuses on the visual state of decay or wear that comes from age or neglect rather than sudden destruction. While it can describe buildings, it is frequently applied to personal belongings like clothing or furniture to imply they have reached the end of their useful life. It carries a stronger sense of neglect than simply saying something is old or broken.
Examples
Related words
Common phrases
in a state of total disrepair
shabby in appearance
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe a person who is physically injured, as it specifically refers to inanimate objects or structures. For people, use terms related to health or injury instead.
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.
