ho4 gaan1河間河间
Jyutpingho4 gaan1
Yalehòh gāan
Definition
Stream.
colloquialnature
How it's used
Refers specifically to a narrow, natural watercourse rather than a large river. It is a regional term often used in rural areas or by older generations to describe small brooks or creeks found in the countryside.
Measure word
tiu4條tìuhExamples
Related words
Common phrases
clear stream
Common mistake
Avoid using this for large rivers, which are called 河 or 河流. It is not a standard term in urban Hong Kong, so listeners in the city might find it slightly old-fashioned or dialectal.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- 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.
- How oftenUsually, sometimes, all the time, rarely, never. All five sit in one slot, between the subject and the verb.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
