jan1 jyun4因緣因缘
Jyutpingjan1 jyun4
Yaleyān yùhn
Definition
Fate, destiny, or lucky coincidence.
neutralpeopleother
How it's used
Refers to the mysterious, often predestined connections between people or events that bring them together. While it shares the concept of fate with 緣分, it carries a slightly more formal or philosophical weight, often implying that a sequence of circumstances has aligned to create a specific outcome. It is frequently used to describe why two people met or why a particular opportunity arose unexpectedly.
Examples
It is such great fate that we can be friends.
Is there any fate between you and them to develop further?
Related words
Common phrases
a chance encounter brought about by fate
Common mistake
Avoid using this in casual, everyday contexts where 緣分 is much more natural. Learners often mistake it for a simple synonym for luck, but it specifically emphasizes the causal link or the 'reason' behind a connection rather than just random good fortune.
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.
- 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.



