coeng3唱
Jyutpingcoeng3
Yalecheung
Definition
To sing; to produce musical sounds and melodies with the voice.
colloquialdaily actions
How it's used
Beyond the literal meaning of singing, this verb is frequently used in the context of karaoke, which is a massive part of local social culture. When talking about singing a song, you must include the object 歌, as 唱 alone often feels incomplete in a sentence. It is also used metaphorically to describe someone who is constantly complaining or grumbling about something, similar to the English phrase "singing the same old song."
Examples
Do you like going to karaoke to sing?
He sang a few classic hits, and everyone was very happy.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the Mandarin usage where it can sometimes mean to perform a play or opera; in Cantonese, it is almost exclusively reserved for singing songs or vocal melodies.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
