faan2 wai4反為反为

Jyutpingfaan2 wai4

Yalefáan wàih

連詞

Definition

On the contrary; instead.

colloquialdescriptions

How it's used

Expresses a situation that contradicts the listener's expectations or the logical outcome of a previous statement. It functions similarly to a conjunction, often highlighting a surprising twist in behavior or results. While interchangeable with 反而 in many contexts, it carries a slightly more formal or emphatic tone in spoken Cantonese.

Examples

keoi5佢m4唔daan1單zi2止mou5冇nau1嬲，faan2反wai4為siu3笑siu3笑hau2口。

Not only was he not angry, he smiled instead.

nei5你ji5以wai4為keoi5佢hou2好laan2懶，faan2反wai4為keoi5佢zou6做je5嘢zeoi3最faai3快。

You thought he was lazy, but on the contrary, he works the fastest.

Common phrases

faan2反wai4為zung6仲hou2好

even better instead

faan2反wai4為m4唔hou2好

worse instead

Common mistake

Avoid using this to mean 'to turn over' or 'to flip', as that is a completely different verb usage. Ensure the sentence structure clearly contrasts the initial expectation with the actual outcome to avoid confusion.