痛
tung3
The Cantonese word for "pain" is 痛 (tung3).
痛 can function as both a noun (pain) and an adjective (painful/hurting). It is used to describe bodily suffering or an ache.
Meaning: ache or bodily suffering (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the absence of pain, use the negation particle 唔 (m4) before 痛 to get 唔痛 (not painful / no pain). To describe the intensity of the sensation, you can follow 痛 with 到 (dou3) to mean "painful to the point of [adjective]". Additionally, adding the sentence-final particle 呀 (aa1) to create 痛呀 can express a sudden realization of pain or a plea for sympathy.
How do you pronounce it?
tung3
Did you know?
- Cantonese speakers may use 痛 in the phrase 痛快, which unexpectedly means 'happy' or 'carefree' rather than painful.
- To express that a situation is 'painful' to watch, Cantonese often uses the term 睇到心酸 (tai2 dou3 sam1 syun1), which translates to 'watching until the heart turns sour'.
- The character 痛 contains the radical for 'heart' (忄), visually linking the concept of pain directly to the organ of emotion.
Examples in context
- 我一行路，呢度就痛到好犀利。When I try to walk, I get an awful pain here.This sentence shows how to use 痛 to describe an intense pain when walking.Tatoeba #430243 by nickyeow, translation #320516 by CK
- 唔痛喇。The pain has gone.This sentence uses 唔痛 to show that the pain is no longer present.Tatoeba #6475183 by nickyeow, translation #278308 by CK
- 邊度痛呀？Where is the pain?This sentence uses 痛 to ask the location of the pain.Tatoeba #1618938 by nickyeow, translation #403284 by CK
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ka Yan is telling Chi Keung about her injury.
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan我隻腳仲係有啲痛。ngo5 zek3 gok1 zung6 hai6 jau5 di1 tung3.My leg still has some pain.
- 志強 Chi Keung你應該去睇醫生。nei5 jing1 goi1 heoi3 tai2 ji1 sang1.You should go see a doctor.
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan但係而家已經冇咁痛喇。daan6 si6 ji4 gaa1 ji5 ging1 mou5 gam3 tung3 laa3.But it isn't as painful now.
- 志強 Chi Keung小心啲，唔好行太多。siu2 sam1 di1, m4 hou2 haang4 tai3 do1.Be careful and don't walk too much.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
