faan4 jan4凡人
Jyutpingfaan4 jan4
Yalefàahn yàhn
Definition
An ordinary person or mortal, often in contrast to extraordinary people, deities, or mythical beings.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
Often used in a self-deprecating way to contrast oneself with someone who has extraordinary talent or intelligence. It carries a slightly dramatic or literary flair, frequently appearing in fantasy stories or when someone is being compared to a god or a genius.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
I am just a mortal, how could I possibly have such great ability?
Related words
Common phrases
mortals like us
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe someone who is simply average in a neutral context, as it implies a specific contrast between the mundane and the extraordinary or divine.
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.
