gwan1君
Jyutpinggwan1
Yalegwān
Definition
Sovereign or monarch; also a respectful form of address for 'you'.
- monarch, sovereign, or ruler in feudal times
- respectful term of address; you
writtenpeople
How it's used
Modern Cantonese speakers rarely use this word in daily conversation to address someone directly, as it sounds archaic or overly formal. It is mostly encountered in idioms, historical dramas, or literature. When used as a polite address, it carries a sense of classical respect that feels out of place in casual settings.
Examples
A gentleman loves wealth, but acquires it through proper means.
This person is our monarch.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use this as a direct translation for 'you' in casual speech, but doing so will make you sound like a character from a period drama. Use 你 instead for all everyday interactions.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
