cau2瞅
Jyutpingcau2
Yalecháu
Definition
To look at, or to find an opportunity.
- to look at; to gaze
- to seek; to find a chance or opportunity
colloquialdaily actionscommunication
How it's used
Primarily used in informal contexts, this term carries a slightly aggressive or confrontational tone when used to mean staring at someone. When used in the sense of checking or finding an opportunity, it implies a quick, casual glance or a brief search. It is much more common in spoken Cantonese than in any formal writing.
Examples
What are you looking at? Haven't you seen a person before?
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this in polite or professional settings, as it can sound rude or like you are picking a fight when directed at a stranger.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
