ping3拼

Jyutpingping3

Yaleping

動詞Uncommon

Definition

To put together, piece together, or assemble.

colloquialdaily actions

How it's used

While 拼 is used in formal contexts like 拼圖 for jigsaw puzzles, in everyday spoken Cantonese, people almost exclusively use 砌 for the action of assembling things. Using 拼 in casual conversation can sound slightly stiff or literary, as if you are reading from a manual or a news report. Reserve 拼 for specific compound words or when describing the act of combining abstract elements.

Examples

ni1呢go3個mou4模jing4型hou2好naan4難ping3拼，gaau2搞zo2咗seng4成maan5晚dou1都mei6未cai3砌hou2好。

This model is hard to put together, I've been working on it all night and it's still not finished.

Common phrases

ping3拼tou4圖

jigsaw puzzle

ping3拼cau3湊

to piece together/cobble together

Common mistake

Learners often use 拼 in daily speech where 砌 is the natural choice. Remember that 砌 is the go-to verb for assembling physical objects like toys, furniture, or even sandwiches.