ngoi6 ban1外賓外宾
Jyutpingngoi6 ban1
Yalengoih bān
Definition
Foreign guest.
neutralpeople
How it's used
Refers specifically to guests from abroad, often in a formal or official capacity such as government or business delegations. It carries a slightly stiff or bureaucratic tone compared to more casual terms for visitors. You will rarely hear this used for friends or casual tourists visiting one's home.
Measure word
wai6位waihExamples
Foreign guests are coming for dinner tonight, we need to prepare well.
Do you know where that foreign guest is from?
Related words
Common phrases
to receive foreign guests
Common mistake
Avoid using this for casual friends or tourists, as it sounds overly formal and detached. Use 朋友 or 遊客 instead depending on the relationship.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
