jan1 jan4恩人
Jyutpingjan1 jan4
Yaleyān yàhn
Definition
Benefactor or savior; someone who has helped you or shown you great kindness.
neutralpeopleemotion
How it's used
This term carries a heavy sense of gratitude and is typically reserved for someone who has provided life-changing assistance or saved one from a dire situation. While it can be used hyperbolically in casual conversation to thank someone for a major favor, it is fundamentally a serious word rooted in the concept of moral debt.
Measure word
wai6位waihExamples
He is my saviour who saved my life, I will never forget him.
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this for minor acts of kindness, as it sounds overly dramatic or sarcastic if applied to trivial help like buying someone a coffee.
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.
