tung4 nin4童年
Jyutpingtung4 nin4
Yaletùhng nìhn
Definition
Childhood; the period of time when one is a child.
neutralpeopletime
How it's used
Refers specifically to the period of being a child, often carrying a nostalgic tone when discussed in conversation. While it is a noun, it is frequently used as a modifier for nouns like 回憶 or 夢想 to evoke a sense of longing for the past. It is more common to use the phrase 細個嗰陣 when speaking naturally about one's own past experiences.
Examples
I really liked going to the park to play during my childhood.
Do you have any particularly unforgettable memories from your childhood?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often use this word as an adjective, but it is strictly a noun. You cannot say 我好童年 to mean I am childlike; use 細路仔或者天真 instead.
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.
