hang4衡
Jyutpinghang4
Yalehàhng
Definition
To weigh or estimate volume or value; originally the bar of a weighing scale.
neutralother
How it's used
Functions as a formal or literary verb in modern Cantonese, often appearing in compound words rather than as a standalone verb in daily speech. When used as a verb, it implies a careful, analytical assessment of pros and cons or relative importance. It carries a sense of intellectual or moral deliberation that goes beyond simple physical weighing.
Examples
You should weigh this matter carefully before deciding.
Weigh the value, is it worth doing it like that?
Related words
Common phrases
weigh the pros and cons
weigh the relative importance
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 橫, which means horizontal or sideways. Learners often mistake the two because they look similar in writing, but they have completely different meanings and pronunciations.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- 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.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
