訂咗婚
deng6 zo2 fan1
The Cantonese word for engaged is 訂咗婚 (deng6 zo2 fan1).
The phrase is used as an adjective to describe someone who has agreed to be married.
Meaning: agreed to be married (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The verb 訂 means to fix, set or settle something, such as a date or a contract.
Which one should you use?
訂婚 is the base verb form meaning 'to get engaged', whereas 訂咗婚 is the form used to describe the completed state of being engaged.
How does it change in a sentence?
The particle 咗 is an aspect marker indicating that the action of settling the marriage has been completed, resulting in the current state of being engaged.
How do you pronounce it?
deng6 zo2 fan1
Did you know?
- The concept of being 'engaged' in Cantonese is linguistically linked to the act of 'booking' a hotel or 'ordering' a product through the shared character 訂.
- In traditional Cantonese custom, the engagement process is not considered 'settled' or complete until the 聘金, known as the 'bride price', has been negotiated and agreed upon.
- While 訂咗婚 focuses on the couple, using the term 訂咗親 shifts the focus to the 'affinity' created between the two extended families.
Examples in context
- 佢同嗰個有錢佬訂咗婚。She became engaged to the rich man.This sentence is useful for describing someone who became engaged to a specific person using 訂咗婚.Tatoeba #5359794 by nickyeow, translation #453908 by saasmath
- 我同XXX(Your partner's name) 訂咗婚I'm engaged to XXX (Your partner's name).
- 佢哋兩個啱啱訂咗婚。keoi5 dei2 loeng5 aa1 ngaang1 ding6 zo2 fan1.The two of them just got engaged.
- 我妹妹已經訂咗婚喇。ngo5 mui6 mui6 ji5 ging1 ding6 zo2 fan1 laa3.My younger sister is already engaged.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a mutual friend's recent news.
- 志強 Chi Keung你聽講未呀？阿明訂咗婚喇！nei5 teng1 gong2 mei6 aa3? aa3 ming4 ding6 zo2 fan1 laa3!Have you heard? Ming is engaged!
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung真係呀？佢同邊個訂咗婚呀？zan1 hai6 aa3? keoi5 tung4 bin1 go3 ding6 zo2 fan1 aa3?Really? Who is he engaged to?
- 志強 Chi Keung係佢嗰個大學同學。hai6 keoi5 go2 go3 daai6 hok6 tung4 saam1.It is his college classmate.
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung哇，真係恭喜晒佢呀。waa1, zan1 hai6 gung1 hei2 saai3 keoi5 aa3.Wow, congratulations to him.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
