wong4 tin1皇天
Jyutpingwong4 tin1
Yalewòhng tīn
Definition
The sky, heaven, or the supreme deity in Taoism.
- the sky or heaven
- technicalthe supreme deity in Taoism (the Heavenly Emperor)
neutralother
How it's used
Used primarily in formal or dramatic contexts to invoke the witness of the divine or the moral order of the universe. It carries a heavy, solemn weight, often appearing in oaths or expressions of deep grievance where one appeals to a higher power for justice. While it refers to the sky, it is never used to describe the physical weather or the atmosphere above.
Examples
Related words
Common phrases
Heaven and Earth
Heaven will not let down those who work hard
Common mistake
Do not use this to refer to the physical sky or clouds, as it is strictly a theological or literary concept. Learners often confuse it with 天, which is the neutral, everyday word for sky.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- 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.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
