haam4函
Jyutpinghaam4
Yalehàahm
Definition
A formal term for a letter or correspondence.
writtencommunication
How it's used
Functions primarily as a bound morpheme in formal or written contexts rather than as a standalone noun in daily speech. It appears almost exclusively in compound words related to professional or administrative correspondence. You will rarely hear it used in casual conversation where 信 is the standard choice.
Measure word
fung1封fūngExamples
He received an official letter, it seems quite important.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use this word to refer to a personal letter or a casual note, as it sounds overly stiff and bureaucratic. It is strictly reserved for formal, official, or business-related documentation.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
