cau3 maa6臭罵臭骂
Jyutpingcau3 maa6
Yalechau mah
Definition
To scold someone very angrily.
colloquialpeopleemotion
How it's used
Focuses on the intensity and harshness of the scolding rather than just the act of reprimanding. It implies a loss of temper or a very aggressive verbal attack. While it can be used in formal writing, it is also frequently heard in dramatic storytelling or when describing a particularly heated confrontation.
Examples
He was just scolded severely by the boss.
Why do you have to scold the child so angrily?
Related words
Common phrases
give someone a severe scolding
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 鬧, which is the neutral, everyday word for scold. Using 臭罵 in casual, minor situations sounds overly dramatic or literary, as if you are describing a scene from a movie.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- 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.
