deng1釘钉
Jyutpingdeng1
Yaledēng
Definition
To nail or pin down; to fasten or secure with a nail, pin, or staple.
colloquialdaily actionshome
How it's used
Beyond the literal action of using a hammer and nails, this word is frequently used in a metaphorical sense to mean dying, similar to the English slang "kicking the bucket." It is also commonly used in the phrase 釘書機 to refer to a stapler, where the action of stapling is essentially "nailing" paper together.
Examples
Could you help me nail this poster to the wall?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse the verb 釘 with the noun 釘, which refers to the nail itself. While the character is the same, the context will usually clarify whether you are performing the action or referring to the object.
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.
