tin1 dei6天地
Jyutpingtin1 dei6
Yaletīn deih
Definition
Heaven and earth, referring to the physical world, the universe, or a domain of activity.
- heaven and earth; the world or universe
- figurativea domain, sphere, or space for knowledge, activity, or growth
neutralnaturedescriptions
How it's used
Beyond the literal meaning of the physical environment, this term frequently describes a person's scope of influence or a domain where they can freely express their talents. It carries a sense of vastness or potential, often used to encourage someone to find their own niche or space in life. When used in this figurative sense, it is common to pair it with verbs like 闖 or 發展.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
Their world is as vast as heaven and earth.
This industry is so big, there is always a place for you to shine.
Related words
Common phrases
to venture out into the world
all things in the universe
Common mistake
Avoid using this to refer to the literal planet or globe, as 地球 is the standard term for the Earth as a planet. Using it to mean the entire world can sometimes sound overly poetic or dramatic depending on the context.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
