hoi1 bin6開便开便
Jyutpinghoi1 bin6
Yalehōi bihn
Definition
Outside; an outdoor area, or a place without a roof.
colloquialplaces
How it's used
Refers specifically to the space immediately outside a building or a room, often implying a transition from an enclosed area to an open one. It carries a sense of being just beyond the threshold, rather than a distant location. It is frequently used when someone needs to step out for a private conversation or to escape a crowded indoor environment.
Examples
It's too stuffy inside, let's go outside to get some fresh air.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the Mandarin term 外面, which is used in all contexts. While 開便 is common in spoken Cantonese, it is strictly colloquial and should be avoided in formal writing or professional settings.
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.
