圍村
wai4 cyun1
The Cantonese word for village is 圍村 (wai4 cyun1).
圍村 is used to describe a specific type of rural habitation, typically one that was historically constructed with defensive walls.
Meaning: a rural habitation of size between a hamlet and a town (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term 圍村 literally means 'walled village', referring to the historical structure of villages built with defensive walls.
Which one should you use?
While 圍村 refers to a specific type of walled village, the general word for any village is 村.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The term 圍村 specifically refers to the traditional walled villages found in the New Territories of Hong Kong.
How do you pronounce it?
wai4 cyun1
When do people say it?
In a cultural context, 圍村 refers to the traditional walled villages located in the New Territories of Hong Kong.
Did you know?
- In the New Territories of Hong Kong, 圍村 inhabitants often hold 'indigenous inhabitant' status, which grants them special land rights and privileges under the law.
- The word 圍 in 圍村 is also used in Cantonese to describe 'surrounding' something, such as a crowd of people gathering around a street performer.
- In some 圍村, the layout is a perfect square or rectangle, reflecting traditional Chinese beliefs about cosmic order and harmony.
Examples in context
- 我祖父喺嗰個圍村長大。ngo5 zou2 fu2 hai2 go2 go3 wai4 cyun1 coeng4 daai6.My grandfather grew up in that village.
- 嗰個圍村好似好古老。go2 go3 wai4 cyun1 hou2 ci5 hou2 gu2 lou5.That village looks very old.
- 我哋去嗰個圍村行吓啦。ngo5 dei6 heoi3 go2 go3 wai4 cyun1 hang4 haa5 laa1.Let's go walk around that village.
Example conversation
Two friends are planning a weekend trip to the countryside.
- 美玲 Mei Ling子健，你想唔想去郊外玩？zi2 gin3, nei5 soeng2 m4 soeng2 heoi3 gaau1 ngoi6 waan2?Zi Gin, do you want to go play in the countryside?
- 子健 Tsz Kin好呀，去邊度好呀？hou2 aa3, heoi3 bin1 dou6 hou2 aa3?Sure, where should we go?
- 美玲 Mei Ling我哋不如去嗰個圍村睇吓。ngo5 dei6 bat1 jyu4 heoi3 go2 go3 wai4 cyun1 tai2 haa5.Why don't we go check out that village?
- 子健 Tsz Kin美玲，我覺得嗰度好正！mei5 ling4, ngo5 gok3 dak1 go2 dou6 hou2 zing3!Mei Ling, I think that place is great!
