syu1 bun2書本书本
Jyutpingsyu1 bun2
Yalesyū bún
Definition
Book; a bound set of printed, written, or illustrated sheets.
neutralschoolother
How it's used
While 書本 is a perfectly valid term for books, locals almost exclusively use the shorter form 書 in daily speech. Using the two-character version can sound slightly more formal or emphatic, as if you are specifically highlighting the physical object rather than the content within. It is common to hear it in educational settings or when discussing the physical weight and presence of books.
Measure word
bun2本búnExamples
These books were all bought by me.
Are there any books left in your school bag?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often use 書本 as a direct translation for any book, but it sounds unnatural when referring to reading material in general. If you are talking about the act of reading or a specific title, just use 書.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
