laan4瀾澜
Jyutpinglaan4
Yalelàahn
Definition
Big wave; billow.
writtennature
How it's used
Primarily functions as a literary morpheme rather than a standalone noun in modern speech. It is almost exclusively encountered in formal idioms like 力挽狂瀾 or in poetic descriptions of the sea. Using it to describe actual waves in daily conversation sounds highly unnatural and archaic.
Examples
The waves here are huge, be careful.
Related words
Common phrases
to turn the tide and save a desperate situation
surging with great momentum
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 爛, which means broken or rotten, due to the similar visual appearance. Since 瀾 is rarely used in isolation, native speakers might be confused if you use it to describe a physical wave instead of using 浪.
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.
