gaan2 bat1 zi6簡筆字简笔字

Jyutpinggaan2 bat1 zi6

Yalegáan bāt jih

名詞

Definition

Abbreviated Chinese characters; traditional variant characters with simplified strokes that are widely understood.

colloquialother

How it's used

Refers specifically to traditional, non-standard abbreviations that have existed historically rather than the modern Simplified Chinese characters promoted by governments. These are often seen in handwritten notes, shop signs, or traditional calligraphy where efficiency is prioritized. They are widely understood by native speakers despite not being the official standard form.

Measure word

go3個go

Examples

ni1呢go3個zi6字bat1筆waak6劃taai2太do1多，bat1不jyu4如se2寫gaan2簡bat1筆zi6字laa1啦。

This character has too many strokes, why not write the abbreviated version instead?

nei5你zi1知m4唔zi1知「maan6萬」zi6字ji5以cin4前jau5有me1咩gaan2簡bat1筆zi6字？

Do you know what abbreviated forms the character 萬 had in the past?

Common phrases

se2寫gaan2簡bat1筆zi6字

to write an abbreviated character

soeng4常jung6用gaan2簡bat1筆zi6字

commonly used abbreviated characters

Common mistake

Do not confuse these with 簡體字, which refers to the standardized Simplified Chinese script used in mainland China. Using 簡筆字 in a formal or academic context may be seen as writing a typo or a non-standard character.