waan6患
Jyutpingwaan6
Yalewaahn
Definition
Trouble, disaster, or misfortune.
writtenotherhealth
How it's used
This character functions primarily as a formal morpheme rather than a standalone word in everyday speech. It often appears in compound nouns related to misfortune or illness, such as 患病 or 水患. When used in casual conversation, it is almost always part of a set phrase like 患難.
Examples
They are really in trouble this time.
Why do you think this is a disaster?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a common verb like 麻煩, but it is much more literary and usually reserved for serious, large scale issues or medical contexts. Avoid using it to describe minor inconveniences or daily annoyances.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- 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.
