pan4 faan4頻繁频繁
Jyutpingpan4 faan4
Yalepàhn fàahn
Definition
Frequent or occurring often with high frequency.
neutraldescriptions
How it's used
While this word is used in Cantonese, it leans towards a more formal or written register. In casual daily speech, native speakers almost always prefer using 經常 or 成日 to describe things that happen often. Using 頻繁 in a very relaxed setting might make you sound like you are reading from a news report or a formal document.
Examples
They have been in contact very frequently lately.
The frequency of accidents happening here is very high.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 頻頻, which is a reduplicated form that sounds more natural in spoken contexts when describing repetitive actions. Learners often overuse 頻繁 in simple sentences where 經常 is far more idiomatic.
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.
