fan1 faat3分發分发
Jyutpingfan1 faat3
Yalefān faat
Definition
To distribute; to hand out or allocate items to different people.
neutralworkschool
How it's used
While 分發 is understood in spoken Cantonese, it carries a slightly more formal or administrative tone compared to the everyday verb 派. You will typically hear it used in contexts like schools, offices, or organized events where items are being handed out systematically. In casual settings, such as handing out snacks or small items among friends, 派 is almost always preferred.
Examples
The teacher distributed the exam papers to us.
Can you help distribute these flyers?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often use 分發 in overly casual situations where it sounds stiff or unnatural. Stick to 派 for informal, everyday actions like handing out candy or sharing things with friends.
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.
