daan1 ci4丹墀
Jyutpingdaan1 ci4
Yaledāan chìh
Definition
The red-painted terrace at the front entrance of a traditional Chinese palace.
writtenplaces
How it's used
Refers specifically to the red-painted stone terrace located directly in front of the main hall of a traditional Chinese palace. It is a highly formal and literary term that rarely appears in everyday spoken Cantonese unless discussing historical dramas or imperial architecture. Using it in casual conversation will sound overly academic or archaic.
Examples
The emperor stands on the palace terrace to receive the officials' homage.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with general terms for stairs or courtyards, as it specifically denotes the elevated platform reserved for imperial or ceremonial use.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- 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.
