ling4聆

Jyutpingling4

Yalelìhng

語素Common

Definition

To listen attentively.

writtencommunicationdaily actions

How it's used

Functions primarily as a formal or literary morpheme rather than a standalone verb in spoken Cantonese. It is almost exclusively paired with 聽 to form the compound 聆聽, which carries a sense of respect or deep focus that simple 聽 lacks. Use it when describing professional settings, counseling, or situations requiring high levels of empathy and concentration.

Examples

nei5你jiu3要jung6用sam1心ling4聆ting3聽keoi5佢gong2講ge2嘅je5嘢。

You need to listen attentively to what they are saying.

keoi5佢hou2好jing2認zan1真ling4聆ting3聽gan2緊daai6大gaa1家ge3嘅ji3意gin3見。

They are listening very seriously to everyone's opinions.

Common phrases

ling4聆ting3聽ji3意gin3見

to listen to opinions

ling4聆ting3聽gaau3教fui3誨

to listen to teachings or advice

Common mistake

Avoid using this as a direct replacement for 聽 in casual conversation, as it sounds overly dramatic or stiff. It is not a verb that can take common aspect markers like 咗 or 緊 on its own without being part of the compound 聆聽.