faa3 jyun4化緣化缘
Jyutpingfaa3 jyun4
Yalefa yùhn
Definition
To beg for alms; of Buddhist monks, to solicit or beg for life necessities from believers.
neutralpeopleother
How it's used
Historically, this term refers specifically to the practice of monks seeking food or supplies to sustain their ascetic life. In modern Cantonese, it is sometimes used metaphorically to describe someone who is constantly asking others for favors, money, or help in a way that feels like begging.
Examples
That monk went to the village entrance to solicit alms.
Do they usually rely on soliciting alms to make a living?
Related words
Common phrases
go out to solicit alms
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with general begging. Using this word for a homeless person or a beggar is disrespectful and inaccurate, as it carries a specific religious connotation related to Buddhist traditions.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
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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.
