jan1 syun2甄選甄选
Jyutpingjan1 syun2
Yaleyān syún
Definition
To screen, judge, and select from a group of people or items based on quality or authenticity.
writtenworkschool
How it's used
Primarily used in formal or professional contexts such as recruitment, academic admissions, or official competitions. It carries a sense of rigorous evaluation and careful filtering rather than simple choosing. You will rarely hear it in casual daily conversation, where words like 揀 or 挑選 are preferred.
Examples
The company needs to select a new batch of interns this year.
Are you ready to participate in that selection process yet?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use it as a direct synonym for 揀, but it is too formal for everyday tasks like picking a restaurant or buying groceries. It specifically implies a structured, often competitive, screening process.
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.
