金龍
gam1 lung4
The English phrase "golden dragon" is translated into Cantonese as 金龍 (gam1 lung4).
This phrase refers to a mythical creature characterized as a dragon with golden scales or a golden color.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 金龍 is composed of 金 (gam1), meaning "gold" or "golden" and 龍 (lung4), meaning "dragon".
Which one should you use?
金龍 and 黃金龍 both serve as formal ways to express "Golden Dragon" in Cantonese.
How do you pronounce it?
gam1 lung4
Did you know?
- The character 龍, used in 金龍, can be used as a surname, and a person with this name might be jokingly referred to as having a 'dragon's lineage'.
- Traditional iconography often depicts a 金龍 with an odd number of scales. This is because odd numbers are considered 'yang' and lucky in Chinese numerology.
- In Cantonese culture, the 金龍 is not just a creature but often symbolizes the Emperor. While many colors of dragons exist in folklore, gold is the most prestigious and represents supreme power and nobility.
Examples in context
- 嗰條金龍好靚。go2 tiu4 gam1 lung4 hou2 leng3.That golden dragon is very beautiful.
- 佢哋設計咗一條金龍。keoi5 dei6 cit3 si3 zo2 jat1 tiu4 gam1 lung4.They designed a golden dragon.
- 我想買個金龍圖騰。ngo5 soeng2 maai5 go3 gam1 lung4 tou4 teng4.I want to buy a golden dragon totem.
Example conversation
Meiling and Chun Kit are looking at traditional decorations in a shop.
- 美玲 Mei Ling俊傑，你睇下呢個金龍幾靚！zeon6 git3, nei5 tai2 haa5 ni1 go3 gam1 lung4 gei2 leng3!Chun Kit, look at this golden dragon, it's so beautiful!
- 俊傑 Chun Kit係喎，個色好閃。hai6 wo3, go3 sik1 hou2 sim2.You're right, the color is very shiny.
- 美玲 Mei Ling我諗我要買呢個金龍返屋企。ngo5 nam2 ngo5 jiu3 maai2 ni1 go3 gam1 lung4 faan1 uk1 kei2.I think I'll buy this golden dragon for my home.
- 俊傑 Chun Kit好主意，會帶嚟好運。hou2 zyu2 ji3, wui5 daai3 lei4 hou2 wan6.Good idea, it will bring good luck.
