gaan2揀拣
Jyutpinggaan2
Yalegáan
Definition
To choose, select, or pick.
colloquialdaily actions
How it's used
Focus on the active process of filtering through options rather than just the final decision. It is frequently used in the phrase 揀擇 to describe someone who is overly picky or hard to please. Unlike the more formal 選擇, this verb feels very hands-on and is the standard way to talk about picking items in a shop or selecting teammates.
Examples
Pick whichever apple you like from this pile.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 挑, which is often used in Mandarin to mean pick or choose but carries a different nuance in Cantonese, often implying picking out faults or being selective in a negative way.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- 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.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
