faan3 zi2泛指

Jyutpingfaan3 zi2

Yalefaan jí

動詞Uncommon

Definition

To refer generally to a broad category rather than a specific entity.

neutralcommunicationother

How it's used

This term is primarily used in formal or academic contexts to clarify that a definition or label is broad rather than specific. It functions as a bridge between a general term and its wider scope of application. While it appears in spoken Cantonese, it retains a slightly literary or analytical feel compared to everyday conversational vocabulary.

Examples

ni1呢go3個ming4名ci4詞faan3泛zi2指so2所jau5有soeng1相gwaan1關ge3嘅caan2產ban2品。

This noun generally refers to all related products.

nei5你gong2講go2嗰joeng6樣je5嘢faan3泛zi2指bin1邊jat1一leoi6類jan4人aa4呀？

Which type of person are you generally referring to?

Common phrases

faan3泛zi2指mau5某leoi6類jan4人

generally refer to a certain type of person

faan3泛zi2指so2所jau5有cing4情fong3況

generally refer to all situations

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a simple synonym of general words like 大概 or 普遍. It specifically describes the act of referencing or defining a category, so it should not be used when simply describing a general state or frequency.