ci3 cing1刺青
Jyutpingci3 cing1
Yalechi chīng
Definition
To tattoo; a tattoo.
colloquialbodydescriptions
How it's used
紋身 is the standard, everyday term used by almost all Cantonese speakers to refer to tattoos. 刺青 is understood as a synonym but carries a slightly more literary or formal tone, often associated with traditional Chinese aesthetics or specific cultural contexts. You will find 紋身 used in casual conversation, whereas 刺青 might appear in media or descriptions of specific artistic styles.
Examples
He has a tattoo on his arm.
Where do you want to go to get this tattoo?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often use 刺青 as the default term, but it can sound slightly stiff or overly dramatic in casual settings. Stick to 紋身 for daily life to sound more natural.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
