faan1 waa2番話番话
Jyutpingfaan1 waa2
Yalefāan wá
Definition
Foreign language, especially English in a Hong Kong context.
colloquialcommunication
How it's used
Historically, this term reflects the colonial era where English was the primary foreign language encountered in daily life. While it can technically refer to any non-Chinese language, it is most frequently used to describe English in a casual or slightly old-fashioned way. It carries a colloquial tone that distinguishes it from the more formal term 英文.
Examples
He speaks English very fluently.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the verb phrase 番話, which would mean to return and speak. The noun 番話 is a specific lexical item, so ensure the context clearly indicates you are referring to a language rather than an action.
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.
