放鬆
fong sung
The Cantonese way to say 'relax' is 放鬆 (fong sung).
放鬆 is used as an intransitive verb to describe resting or becoming relieved of stress.
Meaning: (intransitive) to rest and become relieved of stress (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 放鬆 is composed of the characters meaning 'to release' and 'to loosen'.
Which one should you use?
You can use 放鬆下 for a more casual way to say 'relax' or 慢慢來 to specifically mean 'take it easy'. For the formal concept of 'mentally relax', the phrase 精神放鬆 is used and 緩和壓力 is used when specifically referring to 'reducing stress'. To say 'take a break' informally, use 歇一陣.
How do you pronounce it?
fong sung
Did you know?
- Cantonese uses the term 鬆骨 to refer to a traditional deep-tissue massage, which literally means 'relaxing the bones'.
- In a high-pressure Hong Kong work environment, instead of saying 放鬆, colleagues might use the English loanword 'chill' or say 飲茶 (drink tea) as a code for taking a mental break.
- If you want to tell someone to 'relax' because they are being too tense or uptight, you might use 唔好咁緊張, which literally translates to 'do not be so nervous'.
Examples in context
- 放鬆下啦，一定做得好。Relax, you will do well for sure.
- 你要放鬆啲呀。You need to relax a bit.
- 你要學識放鬆。nei5 jiu1 hok6 sik1 fong3 sung1.You need to learn how to relax.
- 我喺沙灘度放鬆下。ngo5 hai2 saa1 taan2 dou6 fong3 sung1 haa5.I am relaxing at the beach.
- 聽音樂可以令你放鬆。ting1 jam1 ngok6 ho2 ji5 ling6 nei5 fong3 sung1.Listening to music can help you relax.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a stressful work week.
- 家明 Ka Ming呢個星期我好壓力。ni1 go3 sing1 kei1 ngo5 hou2 aat3 lik6.I've been under a lot of pressure this week.
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan你今晚要好好放鬆。nei5 gam1 maan5 jiu3 hou2 hou2 fong3 sung1.You need to relax properly tonight.
- 家明 Ka Ming我想去睇場電影。ngo5 soeng2 heoi3 tai2 coeng4 din6 jing2.I want to go see a movie.
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan好主意，我陪你去。hou2 zyu2 ji3, ngo5 pui4 nei5 heoi3.Great idea, I'll go with you.
