tong1劏㓥
Jyutpingtong1
Yaletōng
Definition
To slaughter animals or poultry; to cut into pieces or carve up.
colloquialfooddaily actions
How it's used
Beyond the literal meaning of slaughtering animals, this verb is frequently used metaphorically to describe being overcharged or ripped off by a merchant. It implies the victim is being treated like a helpless animal ready for the knife. You will often hear people complain about being劏 when they feel a price is unfairly high.
Examples
We need to slaughter a chicken for the gods for New Year, have you bought one yet?
He is very experienced, he finished gutting the fish in no time.
Related words
Common phrases
to slaughter a chicken
to rip off a customer
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 斬, which refers to chopping or slicing meat into smaller pieces. While 劏 involves cutting, it specifically focuses on the act of killing, gutting, or cleaning the animal first.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- 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.
