wai4 sing4圍城围城
Jyutpingwai4 sing4
Yalewàih sìhng
Definition
To siege; to surround a city to launch an attack or cut off its supplies.
neutralother
How it's used
This term is primarily used in historical contexts or when describing military strategy. It carries a sense of strategic isolation and prolonged pressure rather than a quick assault. Outside of formal historical narratives or literature, it is rarely used in casual daily conversation.
Examples
The army has been besieging the city for three months.
How do they plan to lay siege to the city?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the common phrase 圍住, which simply means to surround someone or something in a general sense. 圍城 specifically implies a military siege of a fortified city or town.
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.
