cin1 mai5千米
Jyutpingcin1 mai5
Yalechīn máih
Definition
Kilometre.
neutralnumbersother
How it's used
While technically correct, 千米 is rarely used in daily speech in Hong Kong. Locals almost exclusively use 公里 to refer to kilometres in both formal and casual settings. Using 千米 can sound slightly academic or like a direct translation from written Mandarin.
Examples
It is five kilometres from here to the city centre.
Related words
Common phrases
several kilometres
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 米, which refers to metres. Using 千米 in casual conversation may sound unnatural compared to the standard 公里.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
