wai4 jan1為因为因
Jyutpingwai4 jan1
Yalewàih yān
Definition
Because; as a result of; by reason of.
writtenother
How it's used
While this term functions as a causal connector, it is significantly more formal and less common in daily speech than the ubiquitous 因為. You will mostly encounter it in written reports, news, or slightly more elevated speech. It carries a sense of formal justification or explanation that feels out of place in casual conversation with friends.
Examples
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use this as a direct substitute for 因為 in everyday chat, which can make you sound like you are reading a formal document or trying to sound overly academic. Stick to 因為 or 係因為 for natural speech.
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.
