fan1 bui3分貝分贝
Jyutpingfan1 bui3
Yalefān bui
Definition
Decibel (dB); a unit of measurement for sound level or signal strength.
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How it's used
Scientific and technical contexts are where this term primarily lives, functioning as a standard unit of measurement for sound intensity. While it is a loan translation from English, it is fully integrated into everyday Cantonese when discussing noise pollution, audio equipment, or hearing protection. It is rarely used in casual conversation unless the topic specifically turns to volume levels or technical specifications.
Examples
How many decibels is the sound here?
Exceeding 100 decibels will really hurt your ears.
Related words
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
