fong3 daai6 geng3放大鏡放大镜
Jyutpingfong3 daai6 geng3
Yalefong daaih geng
Definition
Magnifying glass; a tool that uses a convex lens to enlarge images for observation.
colloquialother
How it's used
Used primarily for physical tools, this term is also frequently applied metaphorically in Cantonese to describe someone who is overly critical or scrutinizing. When you say someone is using a 放大鏡 to look at a situation, it implies they are magnifying minor flaws or details that others would normally ignore. It carries a slightly negative connotation of being pedantic or nitpicky.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
He uses a magnifying glass to see the words clearly.
Related words
Common phrases
to use a magnifying glass
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the verb phrase 放大, which simply means to enlarge something. While 放大鏡 is the tool, 放大 is the action, and they cannot be used interchangeably.
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.
