taan4 hoeng1檀香
Jyutpingtaan4 hoeng1
Yaletàahn hēung
Definition
Sandalwood; the fragrant wood of the sandalwood tree.
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How it's used
Refers specifically to the fragrant wood used in incense or carvings. It is frequently associated with traditional religious practices or meditation spaces in Hong Kong. Unlike generic wood, it carries a sense of luxury and calm due to its distinct, lingering scent.
Measure word
faai3塊faiExamples
Do you have any sandalwood for sale at your place?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with generic incense sticks, which are often called 香. While sandalwood is a type of incense, the term specifically highlights the material itself rather than the act of burning it.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Classifier
Particle
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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.
