cau4崷
Jyutpingcau4
Yalechàuh
Definition
High and steep mountains.
writtennaturedescriptions
How it's used
This character is rarely used in daily speech and is almost exclusively reserved for describing the physical profile of mountains. It carries a literary or descriptive weight that makes it sound quite formal or poetic compared to the common term 陡. You will mostly encounter it in written travelogues or formal descriptions of geography rather than casual conversation.
Examples
That mountain is very steep, let's not climb it.
Related words
Common phrases
the mountain is steep and rugged
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 陡, which is the standard, everyday word for steep. Using 崷 in casual settings can sound overly dramatic or archaic, as if you are reciting a classical poem.
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.
