dung6洞
Jyutpingdung6
Yaleduhng
Definition
A hole, cavity, or opening that penetrates through a layer of material.
neutralplacesdescriptions
How it's used
While 洞 is used in formal or literary contexts and place names, 窿 is the standard word for hole in everyday spoken Cantonese. Using 洞 in casual conversation can sound slightly stiff or like you are reading from a textbook. It is most common to encounter 洞 in geographical features or specific technical terms.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
There is a very deep hole here, be careful.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often use 洞 for any type of hole, but 窿 is much more natural for physical gaps in objects like clothes, walls, or containers. Reserve 洞 for larger, more significant openings like caves or tunnels.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
