zan2軫轸
Jyutpingzan2
Yaleján
Definition
A carriage crossboard; square; also used to express sorrow or worry.
- the crossbar at the back of a carriage
- square
- literaryto worry; to feel sorrow or pain
writtenother
How it's used
Primarily encountered in literary contexts or specific historical descriptions of carriages. When used to denote sorrow, it is often paired with 傷 to form 傷軫, though this usage is increasingly rare in modern spoken Cantonese. It is distinct from common words for sadness like 傷心 or 難過 due to its archaic and formal tone.
Examples
Does this type of old carriage still have the rear cross board?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 診, which is used in medical contexts like 診所 or 診斷. Ensure you do not mix up the radical for carriage with the radical for speech.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
