am1闇
Jyutpingam1
Yaleām
Definition
Court mourning for a late emperor or empress.
writtenother
How it's used
This term is strictly tied to historical imperial protocol and is not used in modern contexts to describe personal grief or funeral customs. It specifically refers to the suspension of music, entertainment, and official business as a sign of respect for a deceased monarch. You will almost exclusively encounter this in historical dramas or academic discussions regarding dynastic traditions.
Examples
In the old days, one had to observe court mourning when the emperor passed away.
Were they required to observe court mourning at that time?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the common word 暗, which means dark or dim. While they share a similar visual component, 闇 is a specialized noun related to mourning rituals, whereas 暗 is a common adjective used in everyday speech.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
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Particle
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Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
