gung1 tong4公堂
Jyutpinggung1 tong4
Yalegūng tòhng
Definition
A law court, or historically, a government office's courtroom.
- dateda courtroom in a historical government office
- a law court; courtroom
neutralplaces
How it's used
Carries a strong historical or dramatic connotation, often evoking imagery from traditional Chinese period dramas. While it technically refers to a court of law, using it in a modern legal context can sound overly formal, archaic, or even slightly theatrical. It is most commonly encountered in the set phrase 對簿公堂 to describe the act of litigating a dispute.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
The two brothers went to court over money.
If there is an issue, don't just go to court over every little thing.
Related words
Common phrases
to face each other in court
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe a modern courtroom or legal proceeding in a casual or professional setting, as it sounds like you are describing a scene from a historical film. Use 法庭 instead for contemporary legal matters.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- 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.
- 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.
