gung1 gun3宮觀宫观
Jyutpinggung1 gun3
Yalegūng gun
Definition
Taoist temple or monastery; a place where Taoist priests live and practice.
neutralplaces
How it's used
Refers specifically to Taoist religious sites, distinguishing them from Buddhist temples which are typically called 寺. While it can denote a large monastery, it is often used for smaller, dedicated shrines or halls within a larger complex. The term carries a formal and slightly literary tone, so it is more common in written descriptions or historical discussions than in casual daily chatter.
Measure word
gaan1間gānExamples
This Taoist temple is very famous, many people go there to worship.
Do you know which Taoist temple has the longest history?
Related words
Common phrases
to visit a Taoist temple for worship
ancient Taoist temple
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 寺, which is exclusively for Buddhist institutions. Using 宮觀 for a Buddhist site will sound incorrect to native speakers.
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.
