waan6 gun1宦官
Jyutpingwaan6 gun1
Yalewaahn gūn
Definition
Eunuch; a castrated man serving in the imperial palace in ancient China.
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How it's used
Refers specifically to the historical role of castrated men serving in the imperial court. While it is the standard term in historical texts, it is rarely used in daily conversation unless discussing history or watching period dramas. It carries a formal and somewhat detached tone compared to more derogatory or colloquial slang terms for castrated individuals.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
Eunuchs in the past had a lot of power.
Do you know which eunuch is the most famous?
Related words
Common phrases
eunuchs interfering in state affairs
Common mistake
Avoid using this term to describe someone in a modern context, as it is strictly tied to historical imperial systems. Using it as an insult is highly offensive and inappropriate.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
