bou6曝
Jyutpingbou6
Yalebouh
Definition
To be exposed to sunlight.
colloquialweatherdaily actions
How it's used
While this character is often seen in formal written compounds like 曝曬, it is also used in spoken Cantonese to describe the act of being under direct, harsh sunlight. It carries a sense of intensity, implying that the exposure is prolonged or potentially damaging. When used as a verb in speech, it is almost always paired with 太陽 to clarify the source of the exposure.
Examples
The clothes have been exposed to the sun all day, they are very dry now.
Don't stay exposed to the sun for too long, you will get heatstroke.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 曬, which is the more common, general term for sunbathing or drying things in the sun. 曝 specifically emphasizes the harsh, direct nature of the light, whereas 曬 is neutral and can be used for any level of sunshine.
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.
