沖涼
cung1 loeng4
The Cantonese word for bath is 沖涼 (cung1 loeng4).
沖涼 is used broadly to mean both taking a shower and taking a bath.
Meaning: act of bathing (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 沖, meaning rinse or wash and 涼, meaning cool or refreshing.
How do you pronounce it?
cung1 loeng4
Did you know?
- The concept of 'coolness' in 沖涼 is deeply rooted in the Southern Chinese preference for washing to dissipate 'heatiness' from the body.
- Historically, 沖涼 referred to the practice of pouring cool water over oneself from a bucket. Modern showers are viewed as a technological evolution of this traditional method of cooling down.
- While 沖涼 literally translates to 'rinse cool', it is used regardless of the water temperature. You can use this phrase to describe taking a steaming hot bath or a freezing cold shower.
Examples in context
- 佢日日朝頭早都會去沖涼。She has a bath every morning.This sentence shows how to say someone has a bath every morning using 沖涼.Tatoeba #391037 by nickyeow, translation #317084 by CK
- 我哋個沖涼房淨係得一條浴巾。There's only one bath towel in our bathroom.This sentence uses 沖涼 in the context of a bathroom and a towel.Tatoeba #403358 by nickyeow, translation #35407 by CK
- 請問可以沖涼嗎?May I ask if I can take a bath?
- 沖涼之後會舒服好多。cung1 loeng4 zi1 hau6 wui5 syu1 fuk6 hou2 do1.I will feel much more comfortable after taking a bath.
Example conversation
A couple is talking at home about their evening routine.
- 俊傑 Chun Kit我想去沖涼，你食咗飯未呀？ngo5 soeng2 heoi3 cung1 loeng4, nei5 sik6 zo2 faan6 mei6 aa3?I want to take a bath, have you eaten yet?
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung我仲未食，等陣先食。ngo5 zung6 mei6 sik6, dang2 zan6 sin1 sik6.I haven't eaten yet, I'll eat in a bit.
- 俊傑 Chun Kit好，咁你等我沖涼完先食。hou2, gam2 nei5 dang2 ngo5 cung1 loeng4 jyun4 sin1 sik6.Okay, then wait until I finish my bath before you eat.
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung冇問題，你慢慢沖。mou5 man6 tai4, nei5 maan6 maan6 cung1.No problem, take your time.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
