dung1咚
Jyutpingdung1
Yaledūng
Definition
Onomatopoeia for a thud, a splash, or the beating of a drum.
colloquialdescriptions
How it's used
This onomatopoeia is specifically reserved for low frequency, heavy, or hollow sounds. It is most commonly used to describe the sound of something solid hitting a wooden floor or the rhythmic beating of a drum. When repeated as 咚咚, it emphasizes a continuous or forceful action, such as persistent knocking or a heartbeat.
Examples
He is knocking on the door with a loud thud, as if he is in a hurry.
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe sharp or metallic sounds, as it is strictly for dull, heavy impacts. For lighter or higher pitched sounds, use other onomatopoeic words like 叮.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
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Classifier
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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.
