gou1 tong4高堂
Jyutpinggou1 tong4
Yalegōu tòhng
Definition
An honorific term for one's parents.
neutralfamilypeople
How it's used
Refers to parents with a sense of formality and deep respect, often used when speaking about someone else's parents or in a slightly literary or dramatic context. It is rarely used in casual, everyday conversation to refer to one's own parents directly, as it can sound overly stiff or theatrical. Using it in a lighthearted way can sometimes imply a humorous or exaggerated tone.
Measure word
wai6位waihExamples
He is very filial and always misses his parents.
Related words
Common phrases
to serve one's parents
Common mistake
Avoid using this term in casual settings where 父母 or 阿爸阿媽 is expected, as it sounds archaic and overly formal. It is not a standard way to address parents directly in daily life.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
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Grammar guides
- 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.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
