haan4 zaap6閒雜闲杂
Jyutpinghaan4 zaap6
Yalehàahn jaahp
Definition
Uninvolved, unrelated, or unimportant people.
colloquialpeople
How it's used
This term is almost exclusively used in the fixed phrase 閒雜人等 to refer to people who have no business being in a specific area. It carries a formal or slightly cold tone, often seen on signs or used by security personnel to restrict access. It implies that the individuals mentioned are not only irrelevant to the current situation but potentially intrusive.
Examples
Unauthorized people are not allowed to enter here.
Did any irrelevant people bother you while you were working?
Related words
Common phrases
unauthorized persons
Common mistake
Learners sometimes use this to describe random people in a crowd, but it is specifically for people who are unwelcome or out of place in a restricted context. Do not use it to describe casual acquaintances or strangers in a neutral setting.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
