cung2塚
Jyutpingcung2
Yalechúng
Definition
A grave or tomb, especially in ancient times for royalty or senior civil servants.
writtenother
How it's used
Refers specifically to burial sites of historical significance or high status, often carrying a sense of antiquity or solemnity. While modern Cantonese speakers use 墳墓 or 墓地 for general graves, 塚 is reserved for formal, literary, or historical contexts. It frequently appears in place names or archaeological discussions rather than in casual conversation about visiting family graves.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
They went up the mountain to sweep the graves.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use this word for modern, everyday cemetery plots, as it sounds overly dramatic or archaic. Use 墳場 or 墓地 for contemporary contexts instead.
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.
