tong1 hoi1劏開劏开
Jyutpingtong1 hoi1
Yaletōng hōi
Definition
To cut open, or to partition a flat into smaller units.
- to cut or slice open an animal or object to reveal the inside
- to subdivide or partition an apartment or flat into smaller units
colloquialdaily actionsplaces
How it's used
Beyond the literal sense of slicing open objects like fruit or fish, this term is frequently used in the context of property to describe subdividing a large apartment into smaller, separate living spaces. It carries a slightly rough or aggressive nuance because the verb 劏 is primarily associated with butchering animals. Using it for rooms implies a sense of fragmentation or carving up a space that was originally meant to be whole.
Examples
He cut the watermelon open to eat it.
This unit is so big, why not partition it into several rooms to rent out?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with general cutting verbs like 切. 劏 specifically implies a forceful opening or splitting action, often revealing the interior or creating multiple smaller sections from a larger whole.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
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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.
