ho4 jan4何人
Jyutpingho4 jan4
Yalehòh yàhn
Definition
Who; what person.
writtenpeoplecommunication
How it's used
Literary and formal in nature, this term is rarely used in everyday spoken Cantonese. Native speakers almost exclusively use 邊個 or 咩人 to ask about identity. It is mainly encountered in written texts, historical dramas, or when someone wants to sound deliberately archaic or dramatic.
Examples
I don't know who is so bold.
Related words
Common mistake
Using this in a casual conversation will sound extremely unnatural or like you are reciting a period drama script. Stick to 邊個 for all standard social interactions.
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.
