fan1緡缗
Jyutpingfan1
Yalefān
Definition
An ancient unit of currency for counting coins, from which the modern word for dollar ("man") is derived.
datedmoney
How it's used
Historically referring to a string of cash coins, this term is the formal or literary ancestor of the ubiquitous colloquial word 蚊. While 蚊 is used in almost every casual interaction, 緡 appears in written texts, older literature, or when someone wants to sound slightly more traditional or formal while still referring to money. It is rarely heard in modern spoken Cantonese, where 蚊 has completely taken over as the standard unit for dollars.
Examples
Related words
Common mistake
Learners should avoid using this in daily conversation as it will sound archaic or overly formal. Always use 蚊 for spoken currency, as 緡 is essentially a historical curiosity in modern speech.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
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Classifier
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Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
