deon6頓顿
Jyutpingdeon6
Yaledeuhn
Definition
To pause, stop, or stay.
neutraldaily actionsdescriptions
How it's used
This character is rarely used as a standalone verb in modern spoken Cantonese, appearing almost exclusively in compound words like 停頓. It carries a formal or literary weight that makes it feel out of place in casual conversation unless you are specifically discussing a pause or a cessation of activity. When expressing the idea of stopping or staying in daily life, native speakers prefer using 停 or 留.
Examples
He often pauses when he speaks.
Related words
Common phrases
to pause or stall
Common mistake
Learners often try to use this as a verb for stopping a vehicle or staying at a location, but it is not used that way. For stopping a car, use 停, and for staying at a place, use 留 or 住.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- 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.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
