fan4 wai2焚毀焚毁
Jyutpingfan4 wai2
Yalefàhn wái
Definition
To burn down; to destroy by fire.
writtendaily actions
How it's used
This term is formal and primarily appears in news reports or written accounts of disasters. In everyday spoken Cantonese, people prefer using descriptive phrases like 燒爛咗 or 燒晒 instead of this specific verb. Using it in casual conversation can make you sound like you are reading a newspaper aloud.
Examples
The big fire burned down the house.
Was that old warehouse burned down by fire?
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this in casual settings as it sounds overly dramatic and stiff. It is strictly reserved for describing significant destruction caused by fire, not for minor accidents like burning a piece of toast.
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.
