fan1 cyun3分寸
Jyutpingfan1 cyun3
Yalefān chyun
Definition
Sense of appropriateness and propriety in one's actions, words, and behavior according to the occasion and one's role.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
Refers to the internal compass that guides one to act according to the social context or hierarchy. It is almost exclusively used in the negative form, 冇分寸, to criticize someone for being tactless, overstepping boundaries, or behaving in a way that is socially unacceptable for their position.
Examples
You need to have some sense of propriety and not speak recklessly.
He has absolutely no sense of appropriateness when he speaks, making everyone so awkward.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 禮貌, but while 禮貌 refers to basic manners or politeness, 分寸 is about understanding the deeper social boundaries and the limits of what is acceptable in a specific situation.
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.
