ceon1椿
Jyutpingceon1
Yalechēun
Definition
Chinese toon tree; also used metaphorically for a father, or as a surname.
- Chinese toon (Toona sinensis)
- literaryfather
neutralnaturefamily
How it's used
Refers primarily to the tree species Toona sinensis, which is valued for its aromatic young leaves often used in cooking. In classical Chinese literature, it serves as a metaphor for a father, paired with 萱 which represents a mother. You will rarely encounter this character in daily spoken Cantonese unless discussing botany or formal literary idioms.
Measure word
fo2棵fóExamples
椿萱並茂 is an idiom used to wish someone that both their parents are still healthy and alive.
Related words
Common phrases
a blessing for the longevity of one's parents
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
