sap6 fan1 zi1十分之
Jyutpingsap6 fan1 zi1
Yalesahp fān jī
Definition
Extremely; very; to the highest degree.
colloquialdescriptions
How it's used
Literally meaning ten out of ten, this phrase acts as an intensifier for adjectives. It is slightly more emphatic and formal than simply using 好, often appearing in slightly more descriptive or evaluative contexts. While it functions similarly to very, it carries a sense of completeness or high degree that makes it sound a bit more deliberate in speech.
Examples
The food at this restaurant is very delicious.
You were very efficient at work today.
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using it with negative adjectives that do not naturally take an intensifier, as it is almost exclusively used for positive or neutral qualities. Learners sometimes over-apply it where a simple 好 or 幾 would sound more natural in casual conversation.
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.
