faan1 bong1番邦
Jyutpingfaan1 bong1
Yalefāan bōng
Definition
An old term for a foreign country or a foreign ethnic group.
datedpeopleplaces
How it's used
Carries a strong historical and often derogatory undertone, reflecting a Sinocentric worldview where non-Chinese cultures were viewed as peripheral or uncivilized. Modern speakers rarely use this term in serious conversation, as it sounds archaic and potentially xenophobic. It is mostly encountered in period dramas, historical novels, or when someone is intentionally using old-fashioned language to sound dramatic or mocking.
Examples
He used to go to foreign countries to do business all the time.
Related words
Common phrases
foreign countries and alien tribes
Common mistake
Avoid using this in any professional or polite setting, as it is not a neutral term for foreign countries. Use 外國 instead for a standard, respectful way to refer to other nations.
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.
