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Jyutpinggan6 jan1
Yalegahn yān
Definition
Proximate cause; the direct cause that leads to a result.
neutralother
How it's used
Primarily used in legal, insurance, or formal analytical contexts to distinguish the immediate trigger from more distant or underlying factors. While it functions as a noun, it carries a technical weight that makes it sound out of place in casual, everyday conversation about simple events. It is the standard term for establishing liability when multiple events contribute to a single outcome.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
What exactly is the proximate cause of this incident?
The direct cause of him quitting his job was an argument with his boss.
Related words
Common phrases
legal proximate cause
to constitute a proximate cause
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe simple reasons for everyday actions, as it sounds overly clinical or academic. Use 原因 or 理由 for general situations instead.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
