waan5 lyun4輓聯挽联

Jyutpingwaan5 lyun4

Yalewáahn lyùhn

名詞

Definition

Elegiac couplets; a pair of poetic lines written to express grief and respect for the deceased, typically hung at a funeral.

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How it's used

These couplets are strictly reserved for funeral contexts and are considered highly formal. They are typically composed of two vertical strips of white or yellow paper with black ink, reflecting traditional mourning etiquette. Using them outside of a funeral setting would be seen as extremely inappropriate or even morbid.

Measure word

fu3副fu

Examples

ling4靈tong4堂soeng6上min6面gwaa3掛zo2咗gei2幾fu3副waan5輓lyun4聯。

There are a few elegiac couplets hanging in the funeral hall.

nei5你zi1知m4唔zi1知bin1邊dou6度ho2可ji5以se2寫waan5輓lyun4聯aa4呀？

Do you know where one can have an elegiac couplet written?

Common phrases

syu1書se2寫waan5輓lyun4聯

to write an elegiac couplet

jyun4懸gwaa3掛waan5輓lyun4聯

to hang an elegiac couplet

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with a standard 對聯, which is used for festive occasions like Lunar New Year. Using the wrong color or style of couplet for a funeral is a major social faux pas.