bok1 gwaa1扑瓜
Jyutpingbok1 gwaa1
Yalebōk gwā
Definition
To beat someone up severely or beat them to death.
slangpeopleslang
How it's used
Carries a strong, aggressive tone that is typically reserved for extreme frustration or genuine threats. While it literally implies a lethal outcome, it is frequently used as hyperbole to express intense anger towards someone. It is strictly colloquial and should be avoided in any professional or polite setting.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with literal gardening or farming terms, as the word 瓜 here is a slang reference to death rather than the vegetable. It is an extremely hostile expression that can easily escalate a conflict.
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.
