faat3 sang1發生发生
Jyutpingfaat3 sang1
Yalefaat sāng
Definition
To occur, happen, or take place, especially of an unexpected event.
neutraldaily actionsother
How it's used
Focus on unexpected or significant events rather than routine daily occurrences. It is frequently used when discussing accidents, incidents, or sudden changes in a situation. Unlike the English word happen, it sounds slightly more formal or serious, making it a natural choice for news reports or explaining why something went wrong.
Examples
What on earth happened?
A car accident just happened here.
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using it for planned events or scheduled activities, as it implies an event that arises spontaneously or unexpectedly. For planned events like meetings or parties, use 舉行 instead.
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.
