龍 / 龙
lung⁴
The Cantonese word for dragon is 龍 / 龙 (lung⁴).
Meaning: mythical creature (noun)
Which one should you use?
龍 is the traditional character form, while 龙 is the simplified character form.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In parts of Guangzhou, 龍 may be pronounced as long4.
How do you pronounce it?
lung⁴
When do people say it?
In Cantonese culture, the dragon is a symbol of power, strength and good fortune, often appearing in festivals and traditional art.
Did you know?
- Unlike Western dragons, the Cantonese 龍 / 龙 is a water deity, and many traditional Cantonese communities hold ceremonies to pray to the dragon for rain during droughts.
- The term is used in the Cantonese expression 龍套, which refers to an extra or a bit player in Cantonese opera, a term that evolved from the idea of someone playing a minor role.
- Cantonese speakers use 龍 in the term 龍門, referring to a mythical 'Dragon Gate' that carp must leap over to become dragons themselves.
Examples in context
- 故事中的龍The dragon in the story.
- 高山深處有神龍In the depths of the mountains, there are mythical dragons.
- 點解你咁鐘意龍？Why do you like dragons so much?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dragon” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
