sap6 fan1十分
Jyutpingsap6 fan1
Yalesahp fān
Definition
Very; fully; extremely; to a high degree.
neutraldescriptions
How it's used
Although standard in written Chinese, this word is frequently used in spoken Cantonese to express a higher degree of intensity than the ubiquitous 好. It often carries a slightly more formal or emphatic tone compared to the casual nature of 好 or 幾. It is commonly placed before adjectives to emphasize a state or quality.
Examples
The food at this restaurant is extremely delicious.
You look very energetic today.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often overuse this in casual speech where 好 or 幾 would sound more natural. Using it too frequently in everyday conversation can make your tone sound slightly stiff or like you are reading from a textbook.
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.
