ak1渥
Jyutpingak1
Yaleāk
Definition
To enrich, soak, or moisten; great or generous.
colloquialpeoplemoney
How it's used
Primarily used in colloquial Cantonese to describe someone who is generous, wealthy, or willing to spend money on others. It carries a positive connotation of being open-handed and not stingy. While it can imply wealth, the focus is more on the act of sharing or spending freely rather than just having money.
Examples
He is very generous and always treats people to meals.
Since you are so generous, why don't you treat me to a drink?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the formal or literary senses of soaking or enriching found in classical texts, as those meanings are not used in modern spoken Cantonese. It is strictly used as an adjective for personality or financial behavior.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
