song1 zong3喪葬丧葬
Jyutpingsong1 zong3
Yalesōng jong
Definition
Funeral and burial arrangements; the collective tasks and procedures handled by others after a person dies.
neutralother
How it's used
This term is formal and typically appears in administrative, legal, or professional contexts rather than casual conversation. When speaking about the actual ceremony or the act of burying someone, locals prefer more specific terms like 出殯 or 辦身後事. It encompasses the entire logistical process, making it a collective noun for the industry or the administrative burden.
Examples
My family is busy handling funeral arrangements, so we are quite occupied lately.
Do you know where one can arrange funeral services?
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this word in daily conversation when talking about a specific person's funeral, as it sounds overly clinical or bureaucratic. Use 辦身後事 instead for a more natural and empathetic tone.
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.
