gwong1光
Jyutpinggwong1
Yalegwōng
Definition
Light; electromagnetic radiation that can be detected by the eye.
neutraldescriptionsnature
How it's used
Refers specifically to illumination or brightness in a physical sense, rather than the abstract concept of light as knowledge or truth. When describing the state of being bright or illuminated, Cantonese speakers often prefer using the adjective 亮 or the phrase 好光 instead of just the noun.
Examples
The room is too dark, it is better to turn on some light.
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using 光 as a verb to mean to shine or to illuminate, as it is strictly a noun or adjective in Cantonese. Use 照 or 開燈 when you want to describe the action of providing light.
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.
