pun4磐
Jyutpingpun4
Yalepùhn
Definition
A large rock, boulder, or monolith; firm and stable.
writtennaturedescriptions
How it's used
Literary and formal in nature, this character is almost exclusively encountered in the idiom 磐石, which describes something exceptionally stable or unshakeable. It is rarely used as a standalone noun in modern spoken Cantonese, appearing mostly in written descriptions or metaphors regarding strength and permanence. You will not hear this in casual conversation unless someone is intentionally using a high register or quoting a classic text.
Examples
Their relationship is as firm as a rock.
This plan is as immovable as a rock.
Related words
Common phrases
bedrock or a massive, immovable rock
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 盤, which is a common character for plates or trays. Learners often mistake the two because they share a similar visual component, but 磐 is strictly reserved for the meaning of a heavy, stable rock.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
