caat3察
Jyutpingcaat3
Yalechaat
Definition
To observe, inspect, examine, or investigate closely.
neutraldaily actionswork
How it's used
This character is rarely used as a standalone verb in modern spoken Cantonese, appearing almost exclusively in compound words like 觀察 or 視察. It carries a formal or professional nuance, often implying a systematic or official process of looking into something. When you want to express the simple act of looking at something, use 睇 instead.
Examples
Did the police go to the scene to inspect it?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often try to use this as a direct verb for looking at objects, but it sounds unnatural and overly formal in casual conversation. Stick to 睇 for general observation and reserve this character for formal contexts or specific compound nouns.
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.
