jim4 wong4閻王阎王
Jyutpingjim4 wong4
Yaleyìhm wòhng
Definition
Yama; the King of Hell in Chinese folk religion who rules the underworld and decides when people die.
colloquialpeopleother
How it's used
Refers to the ruler of the underworld in Chinese mythology, often invoked in idioms regarding the inevitability of death. It is frequently used in casual warnings to someone acting recklessly, implying they are courting death. The term carries a heavy, slightly superstitious weight that makes it unsuitable for lighthearted conversation.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
You are risking your life like this, do you really want to go see Yama?
Related words
Common phrases
to die
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the generic term for ghosts or spirits like 鬼. It specifically refers to the deity in charge of the afterlife, so using it to describe a scary person or a ghost is incorrect.
Grammar color guide
Noun
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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.
