ding2鼎
Jyutpingding2
Yaledíng
Definition
An ancient Chinese three-legged bronze vessel used for sacrificial or commemorative purposes, symbolizing power.
neutralother
How it's used
Refers specifically to a historical artifact, so it is rarely encountered in daily conversation outside of academic or museum contexts. It serves as a cultural shorthand for political legitimacy, often appearing in idioms related to power, such as asking about the weight of the vessel to challenge someone's authority. Unlike modern kitchenware, it carries a heavy sense of ritual and dynastic history.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
This ding is the most precious exhibit in the museum.
Do you know what power and status the ancient ding represented?
Related words
Common phrases
to aim for the throne or championship
at the peak of power or prosperity
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- 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.
- 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.
