fong1 nin4荒年
Jyutpingfong1 nin4
Yalefōng nìhn
Definition
A year of famine or crop failure, resulting in a severe shortage of food.
neutralfoodtime
How it's used
Refers specifically to a period of agricultural failure leading to severe food shortages. It carries a heavy, somber tone often associated with historical accounts or tales told by the elderly. While it can be used metaphorically to describe a period of extreme scarcity or lack of resources in a business or personal context, it remains a formal term that is rarely used in casual, everyday small talk.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
People in the past really suffered during famine years.
Related words
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.



