dung1冬
Jyutpingdung1
Yaledūng
Definition
Winter; the coldest season of the year.
- winter; the coldest season of the year
- datedthe Winter Solstice
neutraltimeweather
How it's used
While 冬 refers to the season, it is rarely used as a standalone noun in spoken Cantonese. Instead, people almost always use the full term 冬天. The character is most commonly encountered in cultural contexts like 冬至, which is a significant family gathering day in Hong Kong.
Examples
This winter is especially cold, remember to wear an extra layer.
Are you going back home for dinner on the Winter Solstice?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often try to use 冬 as a standalone word for winter in casual speech, but it sounds incomplete or overly literary. Always use 冬天 for the season to sound natural.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- 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.
