tong3趟
Jyutpingtong3
Yaletong
Definition
Classifier used for the number of trips or journeys taken.
colloquialtraveltime
How it's used
Focuses specifically on the number of completed journeys or round trips rather than just generic occurrences. It carries a slightly more formal or literary tone compared to the common measure word 次, which is used for almost any kind of repetition. You will often hear it used when describing travel plans or business trips that involve a clear departure and return.
Examples
I went to Japan twice last month.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use it as a general-purpose counter for any repeated action. While it works for trips, using it for things like eating or watching a movie sounds unnatural, where 次 is the standard choice.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
