au2毆殴
Jyutpingau2
Yaleáu
Definition
To beat or hit; to stay in a place for a long time; to ferment or incubate.
- to beat; to hit
- to stay in a place for a long time
- to ferment or incubate
colloquialdaily actionspeople
How it's used
This word is primarily used in colloquial Cantonese to describe lingering or staying in a specific spot for an extended period, often implying a sense of laziness or lack of purpose. It carries a slightly informal tone and is distinct from standard verbs like 留 or 喺度. When used in this sense, it often suggests the person is just occupying space without doing much else.
Examples
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the formal written meaning of hitting or beating, which is rarely used in spoken Cantonese. Learners often mistake it for a violent verb, but in daily life, it almost exclusively refers to loitering or staying put.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
