tung1 sing3通勝通胜
Jyutpingtung1 sing3
Yaletūng sing
Definition
Tong sing; a traditional Chinese almanac based on the lunar calendar.
colloquialtimeother
How it's used
The name originates from a linguistic taboo where the word 書 sounds like 輸, meaning to lose, which is considered unlucky in gambling or business contexts. By changing the character to 勝, meaning to win or succeed, the book becomes a symbol of good fortune. It remains a staple in traditional households for checking auspicious dates for weddings, moving house, or starting a business.
Measure word
bun2本búnExamples
The almanac at home is old, I need to buy a new one this year.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with a standard calendar or diary, as its primary function is to provide guidance on auspicious and inauspicious activities based on lunar calculations.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
