taam4譚谭
Jyutpingtaam4
Yaletàahm
Definition
A Chinese surname, usually transliterated as Tam.
neutralpeople
How it's used
Surnames in Cantonese are almost always introduced with the verb 姓. When addressing someone formally, it is standard to combine the surname with 先生 or 小姐, though in casual settings, people often use the surname followed by a nickname or just the surname itself if they are close friends.
Examples
His surname is Tam, everyone calls him Mr. Tam.
Related words
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.
