tong4 zi6唐字
Jyutpingtong4 zi6
Yaletòhng jih
Definition
Chinese characters.
colloquialcommunication
How it's used
Refers specifically to the written script rather than the spoken language. While formal contexts often use 中文, 唐字 is a common, slightly more traditional or colloquial way to refer to the characters themselves, especially in older generations or when emphasizing the cultural heritage of the writing system.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
Related words
Common phrases
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 唐人, which refers to Chinese people. Using 唐字 to mean the Chinese language as a whole is less common than using 中文 or 廣東話.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
