can4 gau6陳舊陈旧
Jyutpingcan4 gau6
Yalechàhn gauh
Definition
Old-fashioned, obsolete, or outdated.
neutraldescriptions
How it's used
Focuses on the sense of being worn out or outdated due to the passage of time rather than just being old. It carries a slightly formal or literary tone compared to the everyday word 舊, which is used for almost anything that is not new. Use this when you want to emphasize that something has lost its utility or relevance.
Examples
The furniture inside this house is very old.
Are you still using this obsolete phone?
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe people, as it can sound like you are calling them decrepit or senile. For people, use 老 or 老人家 instead.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
