hoeng1鄉乡
Jyutpinghoeng1
Yalehēung
Definition
The country or a rural area.
colloquialplacesfamily
How it's used
Refers primarily to one's ancestral hometown or rural roots rather than just any rural area. When used in the context of returning to one's roots, it carries a strong sense of nostalgia and family connection. It is rarely used as a standalone noun in modern speech, appearing most frequently in compounds like 鄉下 or 鄉村.
Examples
He lives in the countryside, the air is very fresh.
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using it to describe a generic rural landscape in a technical sense, as it almost always implies a personal or ancestral connection to a specific village or region.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
