zang1曾
Jyutpingzang1
Yalejāng
Definition
A Chinese surname, typically transliterated as Tsang.
neutralpeople
How it's used
Primarily encountered as a family name, this character is almost exclusively used in formal contexts like identification or introductions. In casual conversation, people often refer to someone by their full name or a nickname rather than just their surname to avoid ambiguity. It is frequently romanized as Tsang in Hong Kong, reflecting the local pronunciation.
Examples
That Mr. Tsang is my former classmate.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with the adverb 曾經, which is used to indicate something happened in the past. When used as a surname, it is a noun and does not function as a temporal marker.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
