ming5 daan3冥誕冥诞
Jyutpingming5 daan3
Yalemíhng daan
Definition
The birthday of a deceased person.
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How it's used
This term is formal and primarily used in ancestral worship or commemorative contexts, such as memorial services or biographies. It is never used in casual conversation to refer to a living person's birthday, as that would be considered highly disrespectful or ominous. It specifically denotes the anniversary of the birth of someone who is deceased.
Examples
Today is his one hundredth birthday since he passed away.
Related words
Common phrases
commemorate a birthday of the deceased
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use this term for any birthday of a deceased person, but it is strictly reserved for the anniversary of their birth, not the anniversary of their death, which is referred to as 忌辰.
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.
