lam4林
Jyutpinglam4
Yalelàhm
Definition
A forest, woods, or grove; an area with a high density of trees.
neutralnature
How it's used
Functions primarily as a bound morpheme in Cantonese rather than a standalone noun. While it can be used to refer to a forest in literary or descriptive contexts, native speakers typically use 樹林 or 山林 to describe a wooded area in daily conversation. It is extremely common as a component in surnames and place names throughout Hong Kong.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
They went into that forest to explore.
Are there any large forests near here?
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using it as a standalone word for a forest in casual speech, as it sounds overly formal or poetic. Use 樹林 instead to ensure clarity and naturalness.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
