baak6帛
Jyutpingbaak6
Yalebaahk
Definition
Silk; silk fabrics.
writtenclothingother
How it's used
Refers specifically to ancient silk fabrics used for writing or as currency, rather than modern clothing materials. It is almost exclusively found in compound words or literary contexts, making it sound archaic or formal in daily speech. Modern speakers prefer using 絲綢 or 絲質 when discussing textiles.
Examples
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a common noun used in daily shopping, but it is a bound morpheme that rarely stands alone in modern Cantonese. Using it to describe a silk shirt will sound confusing or overly poetic.
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.
