tong4 jan4唐人
Jyutpingtong4 jan4
Yaletòhng yàhn
Definition
Chinese people; people of Chinese descent.
colloquialpeople
How it's used
唐人 carries a strong sense of cultural identity and diaspora, often used by Cantonese speakers living abroad to refer to themselves or their community. While 華人 is more formal and often used in political or academic contexts, 唐人 feels more grounded in the lived experience of the overseas community. It is the standard term used in the name 唐人街, which is the preferred way to refer to Chinatown in Cantonese.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
Their whole family is Chinese.
Are there any restaurants run by Chinese people here?
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using 唐人 in formal political or international relations contexts, as it is a colloquial term rooted in historical identity rather than modern statehood. Use 華人 or 中國人 when discussing citizenship or official nationality.
Grammar color guide
Noun
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Adjective
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Classifier
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Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
