台端

You (Officialese)

Level 6Sounds Like toi4 dyun1

台端 (toi4 dyun1) is the 'officialese' version of 'you'. It is used in formal letters, bank statements, and government notices to address the recipient politely but impersonally.

How It Works

1. Usage Context
台端 (toi4 dyun1) is a hallmark of official document register. You will see it in:

  • Bank statements and credit card notices
  • Tax demands and government letters
  • Management office notices in apartment buildings
  • Formal replies to inquiries

2. Grammatical Behavior
As a formal pronoun, it does not follow colloquial rules:

  • No Plural Suffix: You never add 哋 (dei6). If addressing multiple people, use 各位 (gok3 wai2) instead.
  • Possession: Instead of using the colloquial 嘅 (ge3), possession is often indicated by the literary 之 (zi1) or simply by placing the noun immediately after 台端.
  • Formatting: In traditional layouts, a space (挪抬 no4 toi4) is often left before the word (e.g., 「請 台端留意」) to show respect to the recipient.

3. Register Nuance
While polite, 台端 is emotionally detached. It is the language of the 'system' speaking to the 'individual'. In contrast, 閣下 (gok3 haa6) is more honorific and is used for people of high status or in diplomatic/legal settings.

Examples (4)

  1. 台端來函收悉。

    Your letter has been received [and its contents noted].

    Word by Word: You come letter receive know.

    This is a standard opening in a formal reply. Note the lack of a possessive marker between 台端 and 'letter'.

  2. 有關 台端之申請，本處現正處理中。

    Regarding your application, this department is currently processing it.

    Word by Word: Regarding you 's application, this department now just process middle.

    Here, the literary possessive 之 (zi1) is used instead of the colloquial 嘅 (ge3).

  3. 倘 台端未能依時出席，請儘早通知。

    Should you be unable to attend on time, please notify us as soon as possible.

    Word by Word: If you not-yet can according-to time attend, please as-soon-as-possible notify.

    This uses the formal 'if' (倘 tong2) and 'unable' (未能 mei6 nang4) to match the high register of 台端.

  4. 特此通知 台端，有關費用已從戶口扣除。

    This is to notify you that the relevant fees have been deducted from your account.

    Word by Word: Specially this notify you, related fees already from account deduct.

    A common sentence found in bank notices or automated payment confirmations.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 台端 in spoken conversation.

    台端，食咗飯未呀？
    你食咗飯未呀？

    台端 is strictly for writing. Saying it aloud sounds extremely bizarre and robotic. Use 你 (nei5) or a title in speech.

  • Adding the plural suffix 哋 to 台端.

    台端哋要留意。
    各位要留意。

    台端 is a formal, singular address. It cannot be pluralized with 哋 (dei6). Use 各位 (gok3 wai2) to address a group formally.

How It Connects

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

台端Level 6You (Officialese)

Learn This First

The pattern '台端' is a highly formal, second-person pronoun used in official correspondence. To understand its usage, learners should already be familiar with basic pronouns, the distinction between spoken and written Cantonese registers, and the general conventions of official document style (officialese).

Words in This Pattern

台端