jyun4 jan4猿人
Jyutpingjyun4 jan4
Yaleyùhn yàhn
Definition
Ape-man; a general term for human ancestors who closely resembled apes, such as Homo erectus.
colloquialpeopleother
How it's used
Beyond the scientific classification, this term is frequently used in casual conversation as a playful or slightly rude insult to describe someone who appears unrefined, hairy, or physically primitive. It carries a stronger connotation of being uncivilized compared to simply calling someone primitive or old-fashioned. When used in a scientific context, it is usually reserved for specific evolutionary discussions rather than general history.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
This museum is exhibiting many homo erectus fossils.
Related words
Common phrases
homo erectus fossil
Common mistake
Avoid using this term to describe actual modern-day indigenous groups or people from different cultures, as it is highly offensive and carries strong racist undertones when applied to living humans.
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.
