分手
fan1 sau2
To break up in Cantonese is to say 分手 (fan1 sau2).
分手 is the most commonly used term for 'break up' in Cantonese. When you want to say you are breaking up with someone, use the structure 同 [person] 分手 (break up with [person]).
Meaning: to end a relationship (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of two parts: 分 (fan1), which means to divide or separate and 手, meaning hands. Literally, 分手 means 'to separate hands', which implies the act of letting go of hands held during a relationship.
How does it change in a sentence?
To indicate that a breakup has already occurred, you can add the aspect marker 咗 after the verb to form 分手咗 (broke up / has broken up).
How do you pronounce it?
fan1 sau2
Did you know?
- When someone is 'dumped' rather than mutually breaking up, Cantonese speakers use the word 被分手 or the more colloquial 畀人甩, meaning 'to be thrown away'.
- The character 分 in 分手 is also used in the term 分家, which refers to the traditional practice of a large extended family splitting into separate households.
- While 分手 is the standard term, Cantonese speakers often use the phrase 分開 to describe a more general separation or a 'trial break' where the couple might still be in contact.
Examples in context
- 佢哋終於分手咗They finally broke up.
- 我哋分手啦。ngo5 dei6 fan1 sau2 laa1.We are breaking up.
- 你唔好同佢分手。nei5 m4 hou2 tung4 keoi5 fan1 sau2.Don't break up with him.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a recent breakup at a cafe.
- 美玲 Mei Ling你知唔知佢哋分手咗？nei5 zi1 m4 zi1 keoi5 dei6 fan1 sau2 zo2?Do you know they broke up?
- 子健 Tsz Kin唔係呀？真係好可惜。m4 hai6 aa3? zan1 hai6 hou2 ho2 sik3.Really? That is such a pity.
- 美玲 Mei Ling佢哋好似都想分手。keoi5 dei6 hou2 ci5 dou1 soeng2 fan1 sau2.It seems like they both wanted to break up.
- 子健 Tsz Kin可能係喇。ho2 nang4 hai6 laa3.That's probably it.
