sim2 din6閃電闪电
Jyutpingsim2 din6
Yalesím dihn
Definition
Lightning; the natural phenomenon of electrical discharge in the sky.
Example
neutralnatureweather
How it's used
Refers specifically to the visual flash of light in the sky, whereas the sound that follows is known as 行雷. It is common to use the measure_word 道 when describing a single flash or bolt of lightning. The term is also used metaphorically to describe something happening extremely quickly or suddenly.
Measure word
dou6道douhExamples
The lightning was so intense just now, it scared the kid.
Did you see that bolt of lightning just now?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the sound of thunder, which is 行雷. While they occur together during a storm, they are distinct phenomena in Cantonese vocabulary.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
