wun6 mat6玩物
Jyutpingwun6 mat6
Yalewuhn maht
Definition
A plaything or toy.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
Often carries a derogatory or objectifying tone when applied to people, implying that someone is being used for amusement without genuine respect. While it can literally refer to a toy or a collector's item, the metaphorical use regarding human relationships is much more common in daily speech. It suggests a lack of seriousness and a power imbalance where one party is disposable.
Measure word
gin2件gínExamples
He treats the cat like a plaything.
Related words
Common phrases
to treat as a plaything
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 玩具, which is the neutral, everyday word for a child's toy. Using 玩物 to describe a child's doll or action figure sounds overly dramatic or literary, as if the object has been reduced to a mere trinket.
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.
