coeng4 sang1 dim3長生店长生店
Jyutpingcoeng4 sang1 dim3
Yalechèuhng sāng dim
Definition
An undertaker's shop selling coffins and merchandise for funeral rituals.
colloquialotherpeople
How it's used
Using the term 長生店 is a classic example of linguistic taboo avoidance in Cantonese. By calling it a shop for long life, people avoid directly mentioning death or funerals, which are considered inauspicious topics in daily conversation. It functions as a polite euphemism that allows people to refer to these businesses without causing social discomfort.
Measure word
gaan1間gānExamples
Related words
Common phrases
to patronize a funeral shop
Common mistake
Do not use this term in a literal sense to describe a health food store or a place selling longevity products, as it is exclusively reserved for the funeral industry.
Grammar color guide
Noun
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Adjective
Adverb
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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.
