lyun2戀恋
Jyutpinglyun2
Yalelyún
Definition
To love or be in love, particularly in the romantic, pre-marital, or early stages of a relationship.
neutralemotionpeople
How it's used
戀 is primarily a bound morpheme in Cantonese rather than a standalone verb used in daily speech. It appears in compound words to denote romantic attachment or the state of being in love. While 愛 can be used for family or friends, 戀 is strictly reserved for romantic relationships.
Examples
It seems like the two of them are in love recently.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use 戀 as a standalone verb to say I love you, as that would sound unnatural or overly literary. Use 愛 instead when expressing affection for a partner.
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.
