同樣
tung4 joeng6
The English word 'same' can be translated into Cantonese as 同樣 (tung4 joeng6).
同樣 is an adjective used to describe things that are not different as regards self. Identical.
Meaning: not different as regards self, identical (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 同樣 is composed of the characters 同 (tung4), meaning 'same' and 樣 (joeng6), meaning 'appearance' or 'manner'.
Which one should you use?
While 同樣 is used to describe things that are identical in nature or type, the phrase 一樣 (jat1 joeng6) is more commonly used in casual speech to say two things are exactly the same.
How does it change in a sentence?
In spoken Cantonese, the particle 嘅 (ge1) is often added after 同樣 to function as an adjective modifying a noun.
How do you pronounce it?
tung4 joeng6
Did you know?
- To describe two people who look exactly alike, Cantonese speakers use the four-character phrase 一模一樣. This literally means 'one mold, one appearance', as if the people were cast from the same physical mold.
- The character 同 in 同樣 also means 'with' or 'together'. This shows a deep linguistic connection in Cantonese between the idea of two things being identical and the idea of two people being together.
- Cantonese uses the poetic term 同路人, meaning 'same-path people', to describe kindred spirits. It describes people who share the same life goals or values rather than just similar interests.
Examples in context
- 如果你帶個細路出街，指住個月亮，佢會望住個月亮。如果你對隻狗做同樣嘅嘢，佢會望住你隻手指。If you take a child outside and point at the moon, they will look at the moon. If you do the same thing with a dog, it will look at your finger.This sentence shows how to use 同樣 when describing doing the same thing to a child and a dog.Tatoeba #5798410 by nickyeow, translation #5264594 by Cithara
- 我哋嘅意見相同 (ngo5 dei6 ge3 ji3 gin3 soeng1 tung4)Our opinions are the same
- 呢兩件衫一樣 (ne1 loeng5 gin6 saam1 jat1 joeng6)The two dresses are the same
- 我哋著咗一樣鞋 (ngo5 dei6 zoek3 zo2 jat1 joeng6 haai4)We're wearing the same shoes
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yating and Kaming are ordering drinks at a cafe.
- 雅婷 Nga Ting我想飲凍檸茶，你呢？ngo5 soeng2 jam2 dung3 ning4 ca4, nei5 ne1?I want to drink iced lemon tea, how about you?
- 家明 Ka Ming我都要一樣，我要同樣嘅嘢。ngo5 dou1 jiu3 jat1 joeng6, ngo5 jiu3 tung4 joeng6 ge3 je5.Me too, I want the same thing.
- 雅婷 Nga Ting好，咁我幫你叫埋。hou2, gam3 ngo5 bong1 nei5 giu3 maai4.Okay, I'll order it for you too.
- 家明 Ka Ming唔該你，雅婷。m4 goi1 nei5, ngaa5 ting4.Thank you, Yating.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
