cong1蒼苍
Jyutpingcong1
Yalechōng
Definition
Deep blue, the color of the sky; also used to describe things that are old or aged.
- deep blue, the color of the sky
- literaryold, aged, or weathered
writtendescriptions
How it's used
This character is rarely used as a standalone adjective in modern spoken Cantonese. It functions primarily as a morpheme in compound words related to age, such as 蒼老, or specific shades of color like 蒼白. It carries a literary or formal tone that evokes a sense of antiquity or desolation.
Examples
His face is as pale as a sheet of paper.
This tree is very old and looks like it has a history of several hundred years.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use this word to describe the color blue in everyday life, as it is strictly literary. Use 藍色 instead for normal conversation.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
