hong6巷
Jyutpinghong6
Yalehohng
Definition
An alternative pronunciation for the character 巷 (lane or alley), used in certain collocations.
colloquialplaces
How it's used
While the character 巷 is often read as hong6 in formal contexts or Mandarin, it is almost exclusively pronounced as hong2 when used in common Cantonese compound words. It rarely appears as a standalone noun in modern speech, usually requiring a prefix like 後 or a pairing like 大街小巷 to sound natural. It carries a slightly gritty or traditional connotation, often evoking older urban neighborhoods rather than modern thoroughfares.
Measure word
tiu4條tìuhExamples
The streets and lanes here are full of people.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use the Mandarin pronunciation hong4, which sounds unnatural to native speakers. Stick to the colloquial hong2 to maintain the authentic Cantonese rhythm in phrases like 後巷.
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.
