gyun1 saan1 lung1捐山窿
Jyutpinggyun1 saan1 lung1
Yalegyūn sāan lūng
Definition
To pass through a tunnel or cave, or to play a children's game of the same name.
- to pass through a cave or tunnel
- a traditional children's game where players pass under a bridge of arms
colloquialtransportdaily actions
How it's used
Originally referring to passing through a natural cave or tunnel, this term has evolved to describe any tunnel passage, including modern highway tunnels. It also carries a playful connotation as it is the standard name for a common children's game where kids crawl through each other's legs or a human tunnel. Using it for a modern tunnel is perfectly acceptable in daily speech, though it retains a slightly informal, vivid quality compared to the more clinical 隧道.
Examples
Whenever the car goes through a tunnel, the radio always loses signal.
When I was a kid, I loved playing the tunnel game with my classmates.
Related words
Common phrases
the tunnel game
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with literal mountain climbing or hiking. While it involves a mountain, the focus is strictly on the act of passing through an opening or tunnel within it.
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.
