man4 hin3文獻文献
Jyutpingman4 hin3
Yalemàhn hin
Definition
Documents or literature that record knowledge.
neutralother
How it's used
Refers specifically to formal, historical, or academic records rather than everyday paperwork. It carries a scholarly weight that makes it sound out of place in casual office settings where terms like 文件 are preferred. Use it when discussing research, archives, or significant cultural records.
Measure word
fan2份fánExamples
This document records many historical details.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 文件, which is the generic term for any document, file, or paper. Using 文獻 to describe a simple office memo or a personal letter will sound overly dramatic or academic.
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.
