au1鷗鸥
Jyutpingau1
Yaleāu
Definition
Gull; the bird family Laridae.
neutralanimalsnature
How it's used
While 鷗 is the formal biological term for the gull family, it is rarely used in isolation in daily speech. Most speakers prefer the compound 海鷗 to refer to the bird, as 鷗 alone can sound overly literary or like a fragment of a larger name. Using it by itself might cause confusion unless the context of bird species is already established.
Measure word
zek3隻jekExamples
There are many gulls flying by the seaside.
Related words
Common phrases
seagull
Common mistake
Do not use 鷗 as a standalone noun in casual conversation, as it sounds unnatural. Always use 海鷗 instead to ensure clarity and natural flow.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
