gun3貫贯
Jyutpinggun3
Yalegun
Definition
To pass through, pierce, or penetrate.
neutraldescriptions
How it's used
Functions primarily as a bound morpheme in compound words rather than as a standalone verb in modern spoken Cantonese. It carries a formal or literary nuance, often describing something that extends or penetrates from one end to another. You will most frequently encounter it in abstract contexts like ideas or principles rather than physical objects.
Examples
This tunnel runs through the entire city center.
His philosophy runs through the whole movie.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not attempt to use it as a standalone verb for physical movement like walking through a door or passing through a crowd, as this will sound unnatural or archaic. Use 穿過 or 經過 instead.
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.
