dong1 dong1當當当当
Jyutpingdong1 dong1
Yaledōng dōng
Definition
To pawn; to pledge an object for money.
colloquialmoney
How it's used
Refers specifically to the act of leaving an item with a pawn shop in exchange for a loan. While the term is understood, it is significantly less common in modern daily speech than the more direct verb 押. Using it can sometimes sound slightly playful or informal compared to the standard industry term.
Examples
He had no money to spend, so he pawned his watch.
Related words
Common phrases
take something to pawn
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with the Mandarin word for 'just right' or 'at that time', which is not the meaning here. Ensure the context clearly relates to financial transactions or pawn shops to avoid confusion.
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.
