tin1 haa6天下
Jyutpingtin1 haa6
Yaletīn hah
Definition
The whole world; everything under heaven.
neutralother
How it's used
Refers to the entire world in a grand or philosophical sense rather than a geographical one. It often carries a slightly dramatic or literary weight, making it common in idioms or when discussing broad human experiences. Use it when you want to emphasize the vastness of the world or a universal scope.
Examples
The world is so big, where is your home?
He thinks he is invincible across the whole world.
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this to refer to specific countries or locations, as it is meant for the entire world. It is not a synonym for 地球, which is the physical planet.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
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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.
