huk1 hong1哭腔
Jyutpinghuk1 hong1
Yalehūk hōng
Definition
Sobbing quality in singing; a vocal technique that uses nasal tones to sound as if one is crying.
colloquialdescriptions
How it's used
Primarily associated with Cantopop ballads from the 1980s and 90s, this technique involves a deliberate, strained vocal quality that mimics the sound of weeping. It is often used to inject emotional intensity into a performance, though modern listeners might sometimes find it overly dramatic or dated. It is specifically a musical term and is not used to describe someone actually crying in real life.
Examples
He really likes to use a sobbing tone when he sings.
Related words
Common phrases
to use a sobbing tone
to sing with a sobbing tone
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe someone who is genuinely upset or sobbing, as that would be 喊緊 or 喊聲. It is strictly a stylistic choice in singing, not a description of a person's emotional state.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
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Grammar guides
- 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.
- 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.
