fan4 siu1焚燒焚烧
Jyutpingfan4 siu1
Yalefàhn sīu
Definition
To burn; to set on fire.
writtendaily actions
How it's used
Formal register makes this word sound quite serious or even legalistic, often appearing in news reports about fires or protests. For everyday situations like burning trash or incense, native speakers almost always prefer using the simpler verb 燒.
Examples
They are burning waste paper in the back alley.
Why do you want to burn those old letters?
Related words
Common mistake
Using this in casual conversation can make you sound like you are reading a newspaper headline, which creates an unintended dramatic effect.
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.
