jyun4 tau4源頭源头
Jyutpingjyun4 tau4
Yaleyùhn tàuh
Definition
The source, origin, or fountainhead of something.
neutralother
How it's used
Refers specifically to the origin point from which something spreads or flows, often used in contexts involving problems, diseases, or abstract phenomena. It carries a slightly formal or analytical tone, making it common in news reports or serious discussions rather than casual small talk. It implies a need to trace back to the very beginning to understand or solve a situation.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
Do you know where the source of this matter is?
The government must find the source of the infectious disease.
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using it for the origin of a person or a simple object, as it is reserved for things that have a dynamic point of origin or a path of diffusion. Use 出處 for the origin of a quote or an object's provenance instead.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
