tin1 fan6天份
Jyutpingtin1 fan6
Yaletīn fahn
Definition
Natural gift or talent.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
Focuses specifically on innate ability rather than skills acquired through hard work or practice. It is frequently paired with the particle 好 to emphasize the degree of natural aptitude someone possesses. While it can be used for any skill, it is most commonly applied to creative or intellectual pursuits like music, art, or language learning.
Examples
He has a real talent for drawing, everything he draws looks realistic.
Do you think I have a natural talent for singing?
Related words
Common phrases
to have a great natural talent
to have no natural talent
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 努力, which refers to effort. Using 天份 to describe someone who has achieved success through sheer hard work can sound dismissive of their dedication.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- 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.
- 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.
