zak1仄
Jyutpingzak1
Yalejāk
Definition
The oblique tone in traditional Chinese phonology, representing the rising, departing, and entering tones.
neutralother
How it's used
Categorizing tones into 平 and 仄 is fundamental to understanding traditional Chinese poetry and couplet composition. While 平 refers to the level tone, 仄 encompasses all other tones that exhibit pitch movement or abrupt endings. It is a technical term primarily used in literary or linguistic contexts rather than daily casual speech.
Examples
The last character of this couplet is in the oblique tone.
Do you know which characters belong to the oblique tone?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse the technical classification of 仄 with the modern Mandarin four tones. In Cantonese, the distinction is more complex because it includes the 入聲, which are checked tones ending in stops like p, t, or k.
Grammar color guide
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Pronoun
Classifier
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Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
