沖涼
cung loeng
The Cantonese word for shower is 沖涼 (cung loeng).
In Cantonese, 沖涼 is used as a verb meaning 'to take a shower' or 'to bathe', rather than just a noun for the device itself.
Meaning: device for bathing (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 沖, meaning to rinse or wash and 涼, meaning cool or refreshing.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Guangdong province, the phrase 沖澡 may be used to mean shower.
How do you pronounce it?
cung loeng
Did you know?
- There is a traditional Cantonese belief that 沖涼 late at night can lead to 'wind' entering the body, which is thought to cause joint pain or illness.
- The character 沖 can also describe the act of mixing a powdered drink with hot water. This suggests a general theme of using a stream of liquid to prepare or clean something.
- A person who takes a shower too frequently might be jokingly told they are 沖到脫皮, which literally means 'showering until the skin peels off'.
Examples in context
- 我家姐每朝早都會去沖涼。My older sister takes a shower every morning.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use 沖涼 to describe a daily morning routine.Tatoeba #1329554 by nickyeow, translation #749588 by Serhiy
- 我返屋企要沖涼。I'm going home to take a shower.
- 我要去沖澡。I'm going to take a shower.
Example conversation
Two people are talking at home after a long day.
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung俊傑，你沖涼未呀？Jun3 Git3, nei5 cung1 loeng4 mei6 aa3?Jun Kit, have you showered yet?
- 俊傑 Chun Kit我仲未沖涼，而家去。ngo5 zung6 mei6 cung1 loeng4, ji1 gaa2 heoi3.I haven't showered yet, I'm going now.
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung快啲啦，我要用個沖涼房。faai3 di1 laa1, ngo5 jiu3 jung6 go3 cung1 loeng4 fong2.Hurry up, I need to use the shower.
- 俊傑 Chun Kit好，我快快手沖涼。hou2, ngo5 faai3 faai3 sau2 cung1 loeng4.Okay, I'll take a quick shower.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
