jyun4 jau4緣由缘由
Jyutpingjyun4 jau4
Yaleyùhn yàuh
Definition
The reason or cause of an incident.
neutralother
How it's used
This term carries a formal or literary weight that makes it sound slightly stiff in casual conversation. While it refers to the cause of an incident, it is more commonly encountered in news reports, official statements, or written narratives rather than when chatting with friends. For everyday speech, people almost always prefer using 原因 or 點解.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
Tell me clearly the reason behind what happened.
He left without explaining the reason clearly.
Related words
Common phrases
investigate and clarify the cause
explain the reason
Common mistake
Learners often use this word in casual settings where it sounds overly dramatic or academic. If you are talking about why you were late or why you bought something, stick to 原因.
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.
