can1親亲
Jyutpingcan1
Yalechān
Definition
To kiss, especially on the lips or cheek.
colloquialdaily actionspeople
How it's used
While 親 is the formal or written term for kissing, it is rarely used in daily spoken Cantonese. Most native speakers prefer the word 錫, which is the standard way to express this action in almost all social contexts. Using 親 in casual conversation can sound overly dramatic, literary, or even slightly awkward.
Examples
Related words
Common phrases
to kiss (formal)
Common mistake
Learners often confuse 親 with the Mandarin usage. In Cantonese, using 錫 is far more natural and avoids the stiff, formal tone that comes with using 親 in speech.
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.
