jau5 fan1 cyun3有分寸
Jyutpingjau5 fan1 cyun3
Yaleyáuh fān chyun
Definition
Rational, tactful, and in control of a situation.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
Possessing this quality implies an internal compass for social boundaries and situational awareness. It is frequently used to reassure others that a person will not overstep or act impulsively in a delicate matter. While it often describes a person's character, it can also describe specific actions or speech that remain within acceptable limits.
Examples
Don't worry, I always handle things with good judgment.
Related words
Common phrases
to have good sense of propriety
to lack sense of propriety
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with being smart or capable. It specifically refers to knowing the limits of a situation or social context rather than general intelligence or skill.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
