kan4懃
Jyutpingkan4
Yalekàhn
Definition
Solicitous, cordial, or attentive; variant of the character representing diligence.
writtenworkdescriptions
How it's used
This character is a traditional variant of 勤 and is primarily encountered in written Cantonese or formal contexts. While 勤 is the standard form used in modern writing, 懃 carries a slightly more classical or literary nuance. It is rarely used in casual speech, where people would almost exclusively use 勤力 instead.
Examples
He works very diligently and is always helping out.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 勤力, which is the standard adjective for hardworking. Using 懃 in a casual text message might come across as overly formal or archaic.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
