反正

Anyway (Formal)

Level 5Sounds Like faan2 zing3

反正 (faan2 zing3) is used to dismiss alternative possibilities and state that a result or decision is final. It is the formal counterpart to the colloquial 橫掂 (waang4 dim6).

How It Works

1. Meaning and Usage
反正 (faan2 zing3) translates to 'anyway,' 'in any case,' or 'regardless.' It is used to introduce a reason that makes the following statement feel like a foregone conclusion. It often carries a tone of 'since the situation is already this way, we might as well...' or 'it doesn't matter what you think, because...'

2. Sentence Structure
反正 (faan2 zing3) is an adverb and can be placed in two main positions:

  • Clause-Initial: Before the subject (e.g., 反正我唔去 - Anyway, I'm not going).
  • Pre-Verbal: Between the subject and the verb (e.g., 我反正唔去 - I'm not going anyway).

It is very frequently paired with the inclusive particle 都 (dou1) in the second clause to emphasize that the result applies to all scenarios.

3. Register and Tone
In daily casual Cantonese, speakers usually prefer 橫掂 (waang4 dim6). However, 反正 (faan2 zing3) is not 'Mandarin-only'; it is a standard part of written Cantonese and formal spoken registers. Using it in a casual setting makes the speaker sound more serious, firm, or slightly bookish.

4. Phonological Note
Be careful with the pronunciation. The word is read faan2 zing3, with 正 in tone 3 (zing3, 'right, correct').

Examples (4)

  1. 反正聽日都係放假，不如玩夜啲啦。

    Anyway, tomorrow is a holiday, so let's stay out a bit later.

    Word by Word: Anyway tomorrow also is holiday, why not play late a bit [particle].

    Here, 反正 (faan2 zing3) introduces the reason (holiday) that justifies the suggestion (staying out late) regardless of other factors.

  2. 反正件事已經發生咗，你再喊都冇用。

    In any case, the incident has already happened; there's no use crying about it anymore.

    Word by Word: Anyway [classifier] matter already happen [aspect], you again cry also no use.

    The speaker uses 反正 (faan2 zing3) to dismiss the utility of crying, as the past cannot be changed.

  3. 信唔信由你，反正我信喇。

    Believe it or not, I believe it anyway.

    Word by Word: Believe [not] believe up to you, anyway I believe [particle].

    In this example, 反正 (faan2 zing3) appears in the second clause to show the speaker's final stance is independent of the listener's opinion.

  4. 我反正都要去超市，順便幫你買埋啦。

    I'm going to the supermarket anyway, so I'll buy it for you while I'm at it.

    Word by Word: I anyway also need go supermarket, conveniently help you buy [completive] [particle].

    This shows the pre-verbal placement of 反正 (faan2 zing3) and its pairing with 埋 (maai4) to indicate an additional action.

Common Mistakes

  • Placing '反正' at the end of a sentence like the English word 'anyway'.

    我會去反正。
    反正我會去。 / 我反正會去。

    In Cantonese, adverbs like 反正 (faan2 zing3) must appear before the verb or at the start of the clause. They cannot be placed at the very end of a sentence.

  • Choosing 反正 where the more local 橫掂 would fit.

    Different Meaning反正我哋去飲嘢囉！
    橫掂我哋去飲嘢囉！

    反正我哋去飲嘢囉 is natural, and people do say it. 橫掂 (waang4 dim6) says the same thing in a more local, colloquial way.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

反正Level 5Anyway (Formal)

Learn This First

反正 is a logical connector used to indicate that a conclusion remains unchanged regardless of the situation. It is functionally identical to the colloquial '橫掂' but carries a more formal or written tone. To use it correctly, learners need to understand the 'anyway' logic and the requirement for the adverb '都' in the subsequent clause.

Words in This Pattern

反正