經

Via/by Way of

Level 3Sounds Like ging1

Use 經 (ging1) to describe the path you take to get somewhere (e.g., 'via the tunnel') or the channel through which something happens (e.g., 'via a friend').

How It Works

The pattern 經 (ging1) is essential for navigating Hong Kong and describing social connections. It has two primary uses:

  • Physical Routes: When traveling, it identifies the bridge, tunnel, or city you pass through.
    Structure: [Subject] + 經 [Route] + [Action] + [Destination].
    Example: 我經大欖隧道去元朗 (I go to Yuen Long via the Tai Lam Tunnel). In casual speech, people often use 行 (haang4, 'to walk/go') instead, such as 行隧道 (haang4 seoi6 dou6, 'go via the tunnel').
  • Social/Procedural Channels: It identifies the person or method that acted as a medium.
    Example: 經朋友介紹 (Introduced via a friend) or 經網上 (via the internet).

In formal contexts, you may see 經由 (ging1 jau4) or 透過 (tau3 gwo3) used for the same purpose, especially for procedural channels. Unlike the compound verb 經過 (ging1 gwo3), which means 'to pass by' or 'to go past', 經 is more focused on being a transit point on a specific journey. It is also distinct from 由 (jau4), which marks the starting point ('from').

Examples (6)

  1. 我由灣仔經紅隧去中環。

    I go from Wan Chai to Central via the Cross-Harbour Tunnel.

    Word by Word: I from Wan Chai via Red Tunnel go Central.

    This sentence uses 由 (jau4) for the starting point and 經 (ging1) for the route. 紅隧 (hung4 seoi6) is the common abbreviation for the Cross-Harbour Tunnel.

  2. 架車經唔經旺角呀？

    Does this bus go via Mong Kok?

    Word by Word: This [classifier] car via not via Mong Kok [particle]?

    Here, 經 is used in the V-唔-V question format to ask about a bus route.

  3. 我哋係經朋友介紹識㗎。

    We met via a friend's introduction.

    Word by Word: We are via friend introduction know [particle].

    經 is used here for a social channel rather than a physical route.

  4. 你可以經網上申請嘅。

    You can apply via the internet.

    Word by Word: You can via internet apply [particle].

    經網上 (ging1 mong5 soeng6) is a common way to describe modern procedural channels.

  5. 經呢條路行就到喇。

    You'll arrive if you go via this road.

    Word by Word: Via this [classifier] road walk then arrive [particle].

    經 identifies the specific path (this road) taken to reach the destination.

  6. 佢聽日經深圳返廣州。

    He is going back to Guangzhou via Shenzhen tomorrow.

    Word by Word: He tomorrow via Shenzhen return Guangzhou.

    Shenzhen is the intermediate transit point between his current location and the destination.

Common Mistakes

  • Placing the 'via' phrase at the end of the sentence.

    我返廣州經深圳。
    我經深圳返廣州。

    In Cantonese, the route or medium (經 + NP) must be placed before the main verb, not at the end like in English.

  • Confusing 經 (ging1) with 由 (jau4).

    我由紅隧過海。
    我經紅隧過海。

    由 (jau4) means 'from' (the start). Since the tunnel is a transit point, not the starting home/office, 經 is the correct choice.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

經Level 3Via/by Way of

Learn This First

The pattern '經' (via/by way of) functions as a coverb to indicate a route. To use it correctly, you need a solid grasp of basic Cantonese word order, how to express location using '喺', and how to use verbs of motion like '去' (to go) or '返' (to return).

Words in This Pattern

经