gan1 cin4跟前
Jyutpinggan1 cin4
Yalegān chìhn
Definition
In front of someone or something, or nearby in one's presence.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
Focuses on the immediate physical or social presence of someone. It carries a slightly more intimate or direct feeling than 面前, often implying that the person is within arm's reach or directly within one's field of vision. It is frequently used when describing someone hovering or acting in a way that is noticeable to the speaker.
Examples
He is always walking back and forth in front of me.
Why are you saying these things in front of others?
Related words
Common phrases
in front of
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the Mandarin usage where it can sometimes function as a preposition meaning 'near'. In Cantonese, it is strictly a noun phrase referring to the space directly in front of someone.
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.
