jyut6 man4粤文
Jyutpingjyut6 man4
Yaleyuht màhn
Definition
Written Cantonese; the written form of the Cantonese language.
neutralcommunication
How it's used
Refers specifically to the written form of Cantonese that incorporates unique characters and colloquial vocabulary. It is distinct from standard written Chinese, which is based on Mandarin grammar and vocabulary. Using this term emphasizes the cultural identity and linguistic independence of the language spoken in Hong Kong and Guangdong.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with standard written Chinese, which is what is used in newspapers and formal documents in Hong Kong. Remember that reading or writing in this style is usually reserved for social media, informal messaging, or specific literary works.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
