waan5挽
Jyutpingwaan5
Yalewáahn
Definition
To pull, draw, or recover.
colloquialdaily actions
How it's used
Beyond the physical act of pulling or holding something, this word is frequently used in abstract contexts related to restoration or retention. It carries a sense of effort, implying that the person is actively trying to prevent something from slipping away or being lost. In daily life, you will often hear it used for holding a bag or a handle, but it is equally common in formal or emotional contexts like saving a reputation or a relationship.
Examples
Can you hold my bag for a moment? I am going to buy something.
He really wants to save this relationship, but the other person refuses.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 攞, which is the general verb for taking or picking something up. 挽 specifically implies holding something by a handle or carrying it in a way that involves tension or support, whereas 攞 is neutral and covers almost any act of grabbing or retrieving.
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.
