fong1 fai3荒廢荒废
Jyutpingfong1 fai3
Yalefōng fai
Definition
To abandon, neglect, or leave wasted.
neutraldaily actionsdescriptions
How it's used
Focuses on the state of something falling into disrepair or being left unused due to neglect. While it applies to physical spaces like buildings or land, it is equally common when discussing abstract concepts like skills, talents, or academic pursuits. It carries a slightly formal or literary weight compared to everyday verbs like 掉低.
Examples
He is always playing around and has neglected his studies.
This house has been abandoned for many years and is very eerie.
Related words
Common phrases
to neglect one's studies
to leave farmland uncultivated
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 浪費, which specifically means to waste resources or time. 荒廢 implies a process of decay or loss of utility over a period of time, whereas 浪費 describes the act of using something inefficiently.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
