jam1歆
Jyutpingjam1
Yaleyām
Definition
To admire or be pleased; or for gods to enjoy sacrificial offerings.
- literaryto admire; to be pleased; to respect
- literaryto accept or enjoy offerings at sacrifices
writtenemotion
How it's used
This character is almost exclusively found in literary or formal compounds like 歆羨 or 歆慕. It is rarely used as a standalone verb in modern spoken Cantonese, where people would prefer using 羨慕 or 鍾意. Using it in casual conversation will sound overly poetic or archaic.
Examples
Do you really admire his talent?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistake it for a common verb, but it is restricted to high-register contexts. Avoid using it to describe simple likes or preferences.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Classifier
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Grammar guides
- 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.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
