jin4言
Jyutpingjin4
Yaleyìhn
Definition
Words, speech, or opinions expressed either verbally or in writing.
neutralcommunication
How it's used
This character is primarily a bound morpheme in Cantonese, meaning it rarely stands alone in spoken language. It is most frequently encountered in formal compounds or set phrases related to speech, discourse, or written records. When expressing the act of speaking in daily life, speakers almost exclusively use 講 or 講嘢 instead.
Examples
Related words
Common phrases
to make a speech
public opinion or discourse
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use this as a standalone noun for 'word' or 'speech' in casual conversation, but it sounds overly literary or archaic. Always stick to 講嘢 or 說話 for general communication.
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.
