waan4 san1 jan4玩新人
Jyutpingwaan4 san1 jan4
Yalewàahn sān yàhn
Definition
To play wedding games; to tease the newlyweds at a wedding celebration.
colloquialpeoplefestival
How it's used
Refers specifically to the tradition where bridesmaids and friends set challenges for the groom and groomsmen before they can enter the bride's home. The phrase carries a sense of lighthearted mischief, but it can also imply that the games have become too intense or humiliating. It is almost exclusively used in the context of the morning wedding ceremony.
Examples
Will you be playing games with the couple when picking up the bride tomorrow?
They played the wedding games too excessively, making the groom feel very awkward.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with simply playing with a new person, as the phrase is a fixed expression for wedding pranks. It is important to note that the object of the verb is the couple, even if the games are primarily directed at the groom and his groomsmen.
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.
