fu2府
Jyutpingfu2
Yalefú
Definition
A government office, seat of government, or official residence of high-ranking officials.
writtenplaces
How it's used
Used primarily in formal or literary contexts, 府 rarely appears in everyday spoken Cantonese as a standalone noun. It is most commonly encountered as a suffix in place names like 華府 or in respectful terms referring to someone's home, such as 貴府. When referring to the government in daily speech, people almost exclusively use 政府 instead.
Examples
He worked in Washington D.C. for many years.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use 府 as a direct synonym for any office or building, but it specifically carries a sense of high-ranking official status or historical grandeur. Using it to describe a regular workplace or a common house will sound unnatural or overly archaic.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- 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.
