faan3汎
Jyutpingfaan3
Yalefaan
Definition
To float, or to be general, non-specific, or pan-.
- literaryto float; to drift
- general; non-specific; broad
- pan- (prefix)
writtendescriptions
How it's used
Used primarily in formal or written contexts to describe concepts that are broad, vague, or lacking depth. It is rarely heard in everyday spoken Cantonese, where more specific adjectives like 籠統 or 表面 are preferred for describing vagueness or shallowness.
Examples
This plan is too general and not specific enough.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse it with 泛, which is the more common character used in compounds like 廣泛. While they share similar meanings, 泛 is standard for most modern vocabulary, whereas 汎 is often restricted to specific literary or technical contexts.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
