jyun4元
Jyutpingjyun4
Yaleyùhn
Definition
Chief, primary, or principal.
writtenpeople
How it's used
Functions primarily as a prefix in formal or compound words to denote the origin, head, or primary status of something. It rarely appears as a standalone adjective in modern spoken Cantonese, where words like 頭或者最主要 are preferred for clarity. Its usage is largely restricted to specific set phrases or formal titles.
Examples
He is one of the founding members of this company.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with the currency unit, but when used as a prefix for 'chief' or 'original', it does not carry any monetary meaning. Avoid using it as a general adjective for 'main' in casual conversation.
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.
