孤单
gū dān
The English phrase 'lonely' is translated into Cantonese as 孤单 (gū dān).
孤单 is used to describe the emotional state of feeling isolated or lacking companionship.
Meaning: of person: unhappy by feeling isolated (adj)
How do you pronounce it?
gū dān
Did you know?
- The word 单 (dān) is also the same character used for 'bill' or 'receipt', so context is vital to distinguish between being 'lonely' and asking for the 'check'.
- The character 孤 in 孤单 is the same character used in the word for 'orphan', linking the concept of loneliness to a lack of family roots.
- There is a cultural nuance where 孤单 is used for those who want company but have none, whereas 独身 is used for those who are intentionally alone.
Examples in context
- 因为只得我一个，所以觉得有啲孤单。Since I was all by myself, I felt a bit lonely.This sentence is useful for expressing how being alone can lead to feeling a bit of 孤单.Tatoeba #6743196 by iclementine, translation #6743186 by CK
- 我覺得寂寞。I feel lonely.
- 佢一个人住，觉得好孤单。keoi5 jat1 go3 zan6 zyu6, gok3 dak1 hou2 gu1 daan1.He lives alone and feels very lonely.
- 唔好觉得孤单，我喺度。m4 hou2 gok3 dak1 gu1 daan1, ngo5 hai2 dou6.Don't feel lonely, I am here.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about moving to a new place.
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan子健，你搬咗去嗰度之後開心嗎？zi2 gin6, nei5 bun1 zo2 heoi3 go2 dou3 zi1 hau6 hoi1 sam1 maa?Zi Jian, are you happy after moving there?
- 子健 Tsz Kin其實我有啲孤单，因為唔識人。kei4 sat6 ngo5 jau5 di1 gu1 daan1, jan1 jan1 wai6 m4 sik1 jan4.Actually, I'm a bit lonely because I don't know anyone.
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan你可以試下去參加啲社交活動。nei5 ho2 ji5 si3 haa5 heoi3 caam1 gaa1 di1 se3 gaau1 wut6 dung6.You could try going to some social activities.
- 子健 Tsz Kin好主意，我想快啲搵到朋友。hou2 zyu2 ji3, ngo5 soeng2 faai3 di1 wan2 dou2 pang4 jau5.Good idea, I want to find some friends quickly.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
