zong3葬
Jyutpingzong3
Yalejong
Definition
To bury a corpse, or more broadly, to dispose of or process a dead body.
neutralother
How it's used
While 葬 is the formal character for burial, it is almost exclusively used in compound words like 土葬 or 火葬 rather than as a standalone verb in daily speech. When talking about burying something in the ground, Cantonese speakers typically use 埋 instead. Using 葬 on its own to describe the act of putting a body in the ground sounds overly literary or dramatic.
Examples
They decided to cremate the deceased.
Can a funeral be held here?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use 葬 as a direct verb for burying everyday objects, but it is strictly reserved for human remains or formal contexts. Use 埋 for burying things like toys or treasure in the dirt.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
