gwan1均
Jyutpinggwan1
Yalegwān
Definition
All; without exception; both.
writtendescriptions
How it's used
Functions as a formal adverb meaning all or every, appearing primarily in written reports, news broadcasts, or formal announcements. It is rarely used in casual spoken Cantonese, where speakers prefer using 都 or 全部 instead. Using it in everyday conversation can make you sound overly stiff or like you are reading from a script.
Examples
They all expressed that they are very interested in this matter.
The guests in attendance are all elites in the industry.
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using it in casual speech, as it sounds unnatural and overly literary. It is strictly a written or formal register word, so stick to 都 for daily communication.
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.
