tong4 saan1唐山
Jyutpingtong4 saan1
Yaletòhng sāan
Definition
Tangshan; a city in northeastern Hebei Province, China.
neutralplaces
How it's used
Beyond the specific city name, this term historically carries a cultural weight in Cantonese, often serving as a shorthand for China or the Chinese mainland in older generations. It is frequently used in the phrase 唐山人 to refer to Chinese people, reflecting a traditional perspective that views the ancestral homeland through a nostalgic or regional lens.
Examples
Do you know where Tangshan is?
Related words
Common phrases
Tangshan earthquake
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the term 唐人, which refers to Chinese people in a general or overseas context. Using 唐山 to describe a person is incorrect and sounds outdated or geographically confused.
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.
