zai3 ban2祭品
Jyutpingzai3 ban2
Yalejai bán
Definition
An offering or sacrifice made to deities, ancestors, or spirits.
neutralfamilyfestival
How it's used
Refers specifically to items intended for spiritual use, such as food, incense, or paper effigies burned for the deceased. While it can technically refer to historical animal or human sacrifices, in modern Hong Kong it almost exclusively describes items bought for traditional ancestral worship or religious rituals. It carries a slightly formal or ritualistic tone compared to everyday food items.
Measure word
gin2件gínExamples
Many people buy offerings to visit graves during the Ching Ming Festival.
Are these offerings supposed to be placed on the altar?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use this word to describe a gift for a living person, as it is strictly reserved for the dead or deities. Using it for a birthday present or a regular gift would be considered highly inappropriate or even ominous.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Classifier
Particle
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Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
