tang4 sek3疼錫疼锡
Jyutpingtang4 sek3
Yaletàhng sek
Definition
To cherish, love dearly, or be extremely fond of someone or something.
colloquialfamilypeople
How it's used
Focuses on the active, protective, and indulgent nature of affection, often implying a sense of spoiling or doting. It is frequently used to describe the relationship between elders and children or between romantic partners. Unlike general words for love, it carries a strong connotation of caring for someone's well-being through actions.
Examples
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with the Mandarin term 疼愛, which is understood but sounds less natural in spoken Cantonese. Avoid using it for inanimate objects, as it is almost exclusively reserved for people or pets.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
