fong4防

Jyutpingfong4

Yalefòhng

語素Common

Definition

To protect, defend, or resist against attack.

neutralother

How it's used

Functions primarily as a bound morpheme in compound words rather than as a standalone verb in modern spoken Cantonese. It carries a sense of prevention or resistance against an external threat, whether physical like water or abstract like illness. When used in everyday speech, it often appears in technical or health related terms like 防疫 or 防盜.

Examples

nei5你jat1一ding6定jiu3要zou6做hou2好fong4防saai3曬aa4呀。

You must make sure to protect yourself from the sun.

nei1呢dou6度fong4防m4唔fong4防dou3到seoi2水㗎？

Is this place waterproof?

Common phrases

fong4防saai3曬

sun protection

fong4防seoi2水

waterproof

fong4防dou6盜

anti-theft

Common mistake

Avoid using it as a standalone verb to mean 'to protect' in casual conversation, as it sounds overly formal or literary. Use 保護 instead for general protection.