bok3膊

Jyutpingbok3

Yalebok

名詞Uncommon

Definition

Shoulder.

colloquialbody

How it's used

While 膊 can refer to the shoulder, it is almost always used as part of the compound 膊頭 in everyday speech. Using 膊 alone often sounds incomplete or overly clipped unless it is part of a specific idiom or descriptive phrase like A字膊. It functions as a physical body part but also carries metaphorical weight regarding one's capacity to handle responsibility or pressure.

Measure word

go3個go

Examples

keoi5佢bok3膊tau4頭hou2好tung3痛aa4呀，ho2可nang4能hai6係zou6做je5嘢taai2太攰。

His shoulders are very sore, maybe he is too tired from work.

nei5你daam1擔gam3咁cung5重je5嘢，bok3膊tau4頭wui2會m4唔wui2會hou2好攰？

You are carrying such heavy things, won't your shoulders get tired?

Related words

synonymbok3 tau4膊頭bok tàuh

Common phrases

Azi6字bok3膊

sloping shoulders, often used metaphorically for someone who shirks responsibility

bok3膊tau4頭tung3痛

shoulder pain

Common mistake

Learners often try to use 膊 as a standalone noun in sentences where 膊頭 is required. Always use the full form 膊頭 to sound natural when referring to the body part itself.