cyun4 jau5存有
Jyutpingcyun4 jau5
Yalechyùhn yáuh
Definition
To have, store, possess, or harbor.
neutraldaily actionsother
How it's used
Focuses on abstract states like feelings or physical storage of items rather than simple possession. It carries a formal or literary weight, making it sound more serious than the everyday verb 有. It is frequently used in written reports or formal speech to describe the existence of something within a specific context.
Examples
Do not harbor any unrealistic expectations about him.
This company still has many old documents stored.
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this in casual conversation to mean simple possession, such as saying I have a pen. It sounds unnatural and overly stiff in daily life, where 有 is the standard choice.
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.
