can1 jan4親人亲人
Jyutpingcan1 jan4
Yalechān yàhn
Definition
One's family members, including blood relatives and one's spouse.
neutralfamilypeople
How it's used
Refers specifically to people connected by blood or marriage, distinguishing them from friends or acquaintances. It carries a sense of intimacy and obligation, often used when discussing support systems or personal history. Unlike the broader term 屋企人, which focuses on the household unit, this emphasizes the biological or legal bond.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
When will you bring your family members out for a meal?
Related words
Common phrases
a family member passes away
to visit family members
Common mistake
Avoid using this to refer to friends or colleagues, even those you are very close to. Use 屋企人 when talking about the people you live with or your immediate family in a casual, daily context.
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.
