gung3貢贡
Jyutpinggung3
Yalegung
Definition
To present gifts or tribute to a superior.
writtenpeopleother
How it's used
Primarily appears in formal or historical contexts involving the act of offering items to a superior or a ruler. It is rarely used in casual daily speech, as it carries a strong sense of hierarchy and traditional power dynamics. Modern usage is often restricted to historical discussions or metaphorical descriptions of someone showing extreme deference.
Examples
They had to pay tribute to the emperor in the past.
These are the gifts he specially offered as tribute.
Related words
Common phrases
to pay tribute
Common mistake
Do not use this word to describe giving gifts to friends or family, as it implies a subordinate relationship that would sound bizarre or overly dramatic in a casual setting.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
