can4 oi1塵埃尘埃
Jyutpingcan4 oi1
Yalechàhn ōi
Definition
Dust; fine airborne particles consisting of soil, dead skin, mites, or pollen.
neutralhomedescriptions
How it's used
While 塵埃 is the formal term for dust, Cantonese speakers almost exclusively use 塵 in daily life. Using 塵埃 can sound slightly poetic or literary, similar to how one might choose 'particulate matter' over 'dust' in English. It is frequently encountered in news reports or formal writing regarding air quality.
Examples
Related words
Common mistake
Beginners often use 塵埃 in casual conversation where 塵 is much more natural. If you are talking about cleaning your room, always stick to 塵.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
