si4 gwong1時光时光
Jyutpingsi4 gwong1
Yalesìh gwōng
Definition
Time or a period of time; days.
neutraltime
How it's used
This term carries a nostalgic or sentimental tone, often used when reflecting on the past. It is more literary and emotive than the neutral term 時間, which is used for clock time or general duration. You will frequently hear it in song lyrics or when someone is reminiscing about their youth.
Measure word
dyun6段dyunhExamples
That period of time in the past was really happy.
Do you remember the time we spent playing together?
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this word for practical, everyday timekeeping. If you want to ask what time it is or say you do not have enough time to finish a task, use 時間 instead.
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.
