hon2侃
Jyutpinghon2
Yalehón
Definition
To chat idly or talk smoothly; also upright, honest, and amiable.
- slangto chat idly; to talk smoothly
- literaryupright and honest; amiable
colloquialpeoplecommunication
How it's used
The usage of 侃 in Cantonese is quite distinct from its Mandarin counterpart. While it is often used in Mandarin to mean chatting or bragging, in Cantonese it frequently carries the connotation of being straightforward or frank in one's personality. It is a slightly literary or old-fashioned term that is less common in everyday casual speech compared to 吹水 or 傾偈.
Examples
He is a very upright person, he says whatever is on his mind.
We chatted idly at the tea house for the whole afternoon.
Related words
Common phrases
to talk with ease and confidence
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with the Mandarin usage of bragging or boasting, but in Cantonese, it is more often associated with being upright or frank. Avoid using it in formal business contexts as it can sound overly casual or archaic.
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.
