soeng6 lyun4上聯上联

Jyutpingsoeng6 lyun4

Yaleseuhng lyùhn

Definition

The first line of a poetic couplet.

neutralfestivalother

How it's used

Couplets are a traditional form of wordplay often seen on red banners during Chinese New Year. The structure consists of an upper line and a lower line, which must match in tone and grammatical category. It is common to see people challenging each other to complete a clever upper line with an equally witty lower line.

Measure word

geoi3句geui

Examples

nei5你nam2諗dou3到le1呢fu3副deoi3對lyun2聯ge3嘅soeng6上lyun4聯mei6未aa4呀？

Have you thought of the first line for this couplet yet?

le1呢geoi3句soeng6上lyun4聯deoi3對dak1得hou2好gung1工zing2整。

This first line is matched very neatly.

Common phrases

deoi3對soeng6上lyun4聯

to compose a matching lower line

Common mistake

Learners often confuse the order of the lines. Remember that the upper line is always read or placed on the right side when looking at the couplet, while the lower line is on the left.