wan2韞韫
Jyutpingwan2
Yalewán
Definition
To be trapped, shut in, or confined to a limited area.
colloquialdaily actionsplaces
How it's used
This verb is almost exclusively used to describe being physically confined or trapped in a small, enclosed space. It carries a sense of frustration or lack of freedom, often implying that the subject is unable to leave due to external circumstances or personal choice. It is rarely used in abstract contexts, focusing instead on the physical sensation of being stuck.
Examples
The lift broke down, and we were trapped inside for half an hour.
Why are you always cooped up in your room?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the Mandarin word 蘊, which relates to containing or harboring something abstract like feelings or potential. In Cantonese, 韞 is strictly about spatial confinement.
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.
