tin1 man4天文
Jyutpingtin1 man4
Yaletīn màhn
Definition
Astronomy or celestial phenomena; the study of outer space, traditionally including meteorology.
neutralnature
How it's used
Refers specifically to the study or observation of celestial bodies and space, often appearing in institutional names like the Hong Kong Observatory. While it can technically encompass meteorological events in historical or academic contexts, modern usage in daily life almost exclusively points towards space and astronomy. It is rarely used as a standalone adjective to describe the sky itself.
Examples
He really likes watching celestial phenomena.
Do you know where the observatory is?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 天氣, which refers strictly to weather. Using 天文 to describe a rainy day or a hot afternoon is incorrect, as 天文 implies a scientific or cosmic scale.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- 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.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
