lam4 zung1臨終临终
Jyutpinglam4 zung1
Yalelàhm jūng
Definition
At the end of one's life; just before death.
neutralpeopleother
How it's used
This term carries a formal and respectful tone, often used in written reports or serious conversations to avoid the bluntness of words like 死. It is specifically reserved for the final moments of a person's life rather than the general process of aging or being terminally ill. Because of its gravity, it is rarely used in casual banter or lighthearted contexts.
Examples
He wanted to see you one last time before he passed away.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with general terms for dying. Avoid using it to describe the death of animals or in contexts where the tone is not somber or respectful.
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.
