fan1勛勋
Jyutpingfan1
Yalefān
Definition
Medal, merit, or outstanding achievement.
neutralpeopleother
How it's used
Used almost exclusively in the context of formal awards or decorations, such as the honours system in Hong Kong. It carries a sense of prestige and official recognition that ordinary awards do not possess. You will rarely hear this word in casual conversation unless discussing government honours or historical figures.
Examples
Related words
Common phrases
medal
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with general words for success or achievement like 成就, as 勛 specifically refers to a tangible token of merit or a state-sanctioned honour.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
