cau3 hang1 hang1臭亨亨
Jyutpingcau3 hang1 hang1
Yalechau hāng hāng
Definition
Smelly; stinking; having a very bad odor.
colloquialdescriptionsbody
How it's used
This reduplicated adjective emphasizes a strong, unpleasant odor that is pervasive or lingering. It is specifically used for smells that are offensive, such as rotting waste, unwashed bodies, or stagnant water. Unlike the more general 臭, this term carries a vivid, sensory quality that makes the listener immediately imagine the source of the stench.
Examples
You smell so bad, go take a shower quickly.
Why is this trash can so stinky?
Related words
Common phrases
smelling bad all over one's body
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe food that is intentionally pungent, such as 臭豆腐, as it implies a negative, unhygienic, or repulsive smell rather than a culinary characteristic.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
