拼圖
ping3 tou4
The Cantonese term for jigsaw puzzle is 拼圖 (ping3 tou4).
拼圖 is used to refer to the physical jigsaw puzzle object as well as the act of doing a jigsaw puzzle.
Meaning: type of puzzle (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of the verb 拼 (ping3), meaning to piece together or join and 圖 (tou4), meaning picture or map.
How do you pronounce it?
ping3 tou4
Did you know?
- The word 拼 (ping3) is also used in the term 拼命 (ping3 ming6), which means 'to risk one's life' or 'to exert oneself desperately'.
- The verb 拼 (ping3) is also used in Cantonese to describe the act of spelling out a word letter by letter in English.
- While 拼圖 refers to the puzzle itself, if you want to say you are 'doing' a puzzle, you often use the verb 玩 (waan2), which literally means 'to play'.
Examples in context
- 我鍾意玩拼圖。ngo5 zung1 ji3 waan2 pin3 tou4.I like playing jigsaw puzzles.
- 呢個拼圖好難完成。ni1 go3 pin3 tou4 hou2 naan4 jyun4 sing4.This jigsaw puzzle is hard to finish.
- 我買咗個新拼圖。ngo5 maai5 zo2 go3 san1 pin3 tou4.I bought a new jigsaw puzzle.
Example conversation
At home, looking at a table covered in pieces.
- 美玲 Mei Ling子健，你幫我拼呢個拼圖。zi2 gin6, nei5 bong1 ngo5 pin3 ni1 go3 pin3 tou4.Zi Kin, help me do this jigsaw puzzle.
- 子健 Tsz Kin好呀，不過好似好複雜呀。hou2 aa3, bat1 gwo3 hou2 ci5 hou2 fuk1 zaap6 aa3.Okay, but it looks very complicated.
- 美玲 Mei Ling慢慢做就得啦。maan6 maan6 zou6 zau6 dak1 laa1.Just take your time.
- 子健 Tsz Kin好，我哋一齊做。hou2, ngo5 dei6 jat1 cai4 zou6.Okay, let's do it together.
