de1 noeng4爹娘
Jyutpingde1 noeng4
Yaledē nèuhng
Definition
Parents; father and mother.
colloquialfamilypeople
How it's used
This term carries a traditional and slightly literary tone, often evoking a sense of deep familial bond or duty. While it is understood by everyone, it is rarely used in casual, modern conversation to refer to one's own parents, where terms like 老豆老母 or 父母 are far more common. It frequently appears in songs, stories, or when discussing filial piety in a more formal or emotional context.
Examples
He is very filial to his parents.
Related words
Common phrases
filial to parents
Common mistake
Avoid using this in everyday speech when talking about your own parents to friends, as it can sound overly dramatic or archaic. Stick to 父母 for neutral contexts or 老豆老母 for casual situations.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
