coeng4 dyun2長短长短
Jyutpingcoeng4 dyun2
Yalechèuhng dyún
Definition
Length; the measurement of how long an object is, or horizontal distance.
colloquialdescriptions
How it's used
While literally meaning long and short, this term is frequently used as a noun to refer to the measurement of length itself. It often appears in contexts where one is evaluating whether something fits or matches a specific requirement. It is less about the abstract concept of length and more about the physical dimension of an object.
Examples
The length of this rope is just right.
Do you know what the length is here?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the Mandarin usage where it can metaphorically mean right or wrong, as in arguing about who is right or wrong. In Cantonese, it almost exclusively refers to physical length.
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.
