fan1 jau1分憂分忧
Jyutpingfan1 jau1
Yalefān yāu
Definition
To share someone's burden and help them get through a difficult time.
neutralpeopleemotion
How it's used
Carries a slightly formal or literary tone despite its common usage in serious contexts. It is often used to describe a subordinate or a close friend stepping in to alleviate the mental or practical load of someone in a higher or more distressed position. While it implies emotional support, it frequently suggests taking on actual tasks or responsibilities to ease the other person's situation.
Examples
You don't have to carry it alone, I really want to help share your burden.
He always helps his boss share the burden, so he is highly valued.
Related words
Common phrases
to share someone's burden
Common mistake
Avoid using this in casual, trivial situations like helping someone carry a grocery bag or finding a lost pen. It is reserved for significant worries, life problems, or heavy professional responsibilities.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- 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.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
