gu2 man4古文
Jyutpinggu2 man4
Yalegú màhn
Definition
Ancient written language, prose, or grammar that is no longer in common use, such as classical Chinese or Latin.
neutralschool
How it's used
Refers specifically to the formal, historical writing styles that differ significantly from modern spoken Cantonese or standard written Chinese. It is often used in academic contexts or when discussing literature, rather than in casual conversation. People usually distinguish it from modern vernacular by emphasizing its rigid structure and archaic vocabulary.
Measure word
pin1篇pīnExamples
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse it with the broader term 文言文, which specifically refers to the literary style of Chinese. While 古文 can be used for any ancient language, 文言文 is restricted to the Chinese literary tradition.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
