nong4囊
Jyutpingnong4
Yalenòhng
Definition
A bag, sack, or pocket; also used to describe being cowardly or feeble.
- sack; bag; pocket
- slangcowardly; feeble
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
While the character 囊 appears in formal compounds like 囊中物, its use as a verb meaning to stuff or pocket something is distinctly colloquial. When used to describe a person, it carries a sense of being spineless or lacking the courage to act. It is rarely used in its literal sense of a physical sack in daily speech, where 袋 is preferred instead.
Examples
He always keeps his money in his pocket and refuses to spend it.
Related words
Common phrases
something already in one's possession
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the common noun 袋 which is the standard word for bag or pocket. Using 囊 in everyday conversation to refer to a shopping bag or a backpack will sound highly unnatural or literary.
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.
