kyun4拳
Jyutpingkyun4
Yalekyùhn
Definition
Boxing, martial arts, or fistfighting.
colloquialsportsbody
How it's used
Functions primarily as a suffix in compound nouns referring to specific martial arts styles. While it literally translates to fist, it is rarely used in isolation to mean boxing in a general sense, preferring specific styles like 泰拳 or 空手道. When used as a verb, it often appears in the phrase 打拳 to describe the act of practicing or training in these disciplines.
Examples
Did you ever learn Thai boxing when you were young?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the verb 打人, which means to hit someone. Using just 拳 to describe a fight is unnatural; always specify the style or use the verb phrase 打拳.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
