heoi2 jyun6許願许愿
Jyutpingheoi2 jyun6
Yalehéui yuhn
Definition
To make a wish, hoping that it will come true.
colloquialdaily actionsother
How it's used
Often associated with specific ritualistic contexts like blowing out birthday candles or visiting temples. While it implies a sincere hope, it is frequently used in lighthearted social settings as a prompt for someone to express their desires.
Examples
Have you made a wish in front of the birthday cake yet?
He went to the temple to make a wish, hoping for good health.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse this with 祈禱, which specifically refers to religious prayer. Use 許願 when you are hoping for a personal desire to come true, rather than communicating with a deity.
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.
