ming6 ming4命名
Jyutpingming6 ming4
Yalemihng mìhng
Definition
To formally give a name to someone or something.
writtenother
How it's used
Reserved for formal or official contexts, this word is rarely used in casual conversation when talking about giving a nickname or calling someone by a name. It implies a deliberate, often public or legal act of assigning a title to a place, a scientific discovery, or a newborn. Use the simpler verb 起名 for everyday situations involving people or pets.
Examples
What name are you planning to give the cat?
Related words
Common phrases
named after...
Common mistake
Avoid using this word for casual naming, such as deciding what to call a new pet or a friend's baby, as it sounds overly bureaucratic and stiff. Stick to 起名 or 叫開 for those scenarios.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- 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.
