fan1薰
Jyutpingfan1
Yalefān
Definition
Fragrance, aromatic plants, or to exert a gentle nurturing influence.
- fragrance; scent; aroma
- literarya type of aromatic or medicinal herb
- literaryto educate, nurture, or exert a slow, transforming influence
writtendescriptionsother
How it's used
Primarily used in literary contexts or formal idioms, this character carries a sense of gradual, pervasive influence like smoke or scent. In modern spoken Cantonese, it is rarely used as a standalone verb for general smells, where 嗅 or 聞 are preferred. It is most commonly encountered in the phrase 薰陶, which describes the subtle, long term impact of one's environment or mentors on personal character.
Examples
This kind of flower makes the whole room fragrant.
He spent a long time being nurtured before getting into this prestigious school.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 熏, which is often used interchangeably in writing but specifically refers to the act of smoking or curing food. Learners should avoid using 薰 in casual conversation to describe smelling something, as it sounds overly poetic or archaic.
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.
