zan1珍

Jyutpingzan1

Yalejān

語素

Definition

Precious, valuable, or rare; relating to high value.

neutraldescriptionsemotion

How it's used

Functions primarily as a morpheme in formal or literary compound words rather than as a standalone verb in daily speech. While it conveys the sense of valuing something highly, it is almost always paired with other characters to form adjectives or verbs like 珍貴 or 珍惜. Using it alone to mean treasure sounds archaic or poetic.

Examples

le1呢gin2件hai6係ngo5我hou2好zan1珍si6視ge3嘅gei2紀nim6念ban2品。

This is a souvenir I treasure very much.

nei5你jat1一ding6定jiu3要zan1珍zung6重san1身tai2體aa4呀。

You must take good care of your health.

Common phrases

zan1珍gwai3貴

precious

zan1珍zung6重

take care

Common mistake

Learners often try to use it as a standalone verb to mean to cherish, but it requires a second character to be grammatically natural in modern Cantonese. Use 珍惜 instead when you want to express the act of cherishing something.