faan6 gei6犯忌
Jyutpingfaan6 gei6
Yalefaahn geih
Definition
To violate a taboo; to do or say something that is avoided or forbidden.
colloquialother
How it's used
This term is frequently used in contexts involving traditional customs, superstitions, or social etiquette where certain actions or words are considered unlucky or disrespectful. It carries a sense of crossing a boundary that could lead to negative consequences or social awkwardness. Unlike formal prohibitions, it often refers to unspoken rules that people are expected to intuitively understand.
Examples
He didn't know the situation and accidentally said something taboo.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 犯法, which specifically refers to breaking the law. 犯忌 is about social or cultural norms rather than legal statutes.
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.
