秋天
cau¹ tin¹
The English word 'autumn' is translated into Cantonese as 秋天 (cau¹ tin¹). If unsure, use 秋天. Wiktionary also lists 秋季 (cau¹ gwai³).
Meaning: season (noun)
Ways to say it
| Cantonese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 秋天 | cau¹ tin¹ |
| 秋季 | cau¹ gwai³ |
The word 秋天 refers to the season of autumn. For a more poetic way to describe the season, you can use the phrase 落葉時節, which literally means 'falling leaves season'. Additionally, the phrase 入秋 is used to describe the onset of autumn or the transition from summer to autumn.
Which one should you use?
While 秋天 is the common way to refer to the season in daily conversation, 秋季 is a more formal or technical term often used in schedules, news reports or academic contexts.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation for 秋天 is cau¹ tin¹.
Did you know?
- While 秋天 means 'autumn', the character 秋 alone is used in the term 秋後算帳, which means 'settling accounts after the autumn'. This is a metaphor for taking revenge long after an event has happened.
- In traditional Cantonese astrology, autumn is linked to the 'Metal' element, which influences certain personality traits and health aspects.
- In traditional Cantonese medicine, autumn is considered a season to avoid excessive dryness, often prompting people to eat 'moistening' foods like pears.
Examples in context
- 秋天返嚟啦！一齊去郊外走走吹吹秋風呀！（cau1 tin1 faan1 lei4 laa1! jat1 cai4 heoi3 gaau1 ngoi6 zau2 zau2 ceoi1 ceoi1 cau1 fung1 aa3!）Autumn is here! Let's go to the countryside, take a walk, and enjoy the autumn breeze together!
- 秋天好舒服。cau1 tin1 hou2 syu1 fuk6.Autumn is very comfortable.
- 我鍾意秋天。ngo5 zung1 ji3 cau1 tin1.I like autumn.
- 秋天嘅天氣好涼快。cau1 tin1 ge3 tin1 hei3 hou2 loeng4 faai3.The autumn weather is very cool.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about the changing weather.
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung俊傑，你覺得秋天靚唔靚？zeon6 git3, nei5 gok3 dak1 cau1 tin1 leeng3 m4 leeng3?Kit, do you think autumn is beautiful?
- 俊傑 Chun Kit係呀，秋天啲葉變咗色。hai6 aa3, cau1 tin1 di1 jip6 bin3 zo2 sik1.Yes, the leaves change color in autumn.
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung我最鍾意去行山。ngo5 zeoi3 zung1 ji3 heoi3 haang4 saan1.I love going hiking the most.
- 俊傑 Chun Kit下次我哋一齊去啦。haa6 ci3 ngo5 dei6 jat1 cai4 heoi3 laa1.Let's go together next time.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “autumn” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
