hon6 cing1汗青
Jyutpinghon6 cing1
Yalehohn chīng
Definition
Bamboo slips used for writing in ancient China; historical records.
- archaicbamboo slips used for writing in ancient China
- literaryhistorical records; annals
writtentimeother
How it's used
Originally referring to bamboo slips treated with heat to remove moisture for writing, this term has evolved into a formal, literary metaphor for historical records. It is almost exclusively used in the idiom 留名汗青, which describes someone achieving a lasting legacy that will be remembered by future generations. You will rarely hear it in casual conversation unless someone is being intentionally dramatic or grandiloquent.
Examples
His name will be recorded in history.
This event is truly worthy of being recorded in history.
Related words
Common phrases
to leave a name in history
Common mistake
Avoid using this to refer to actual physical paper or modern documents, as it specifically evokes the ancient method of writing on bamboo. It is strictly a literary term for historical immortality rather than a literal word for books or records.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
