ceng1 toi4青苔
Jyutpingceng1 toi4
Yalechēng tòih
Definition
Moss; a small, non-vascular plant commonly found growing on damp surfaces.
colloquialnature
How it's used
Focus on the slippery nature of the surface when describing moss. It is commonly used to explain why a path or staircase is dangerous to walk on, especially after rain. You will often hear it paired with the adjective 跣 to emphasize the hazard.
Measure word
cang4層chànghExamples
The stones here are covered in moss, they are very slippery.
Do you see that there is a lot of moss growing in the corner of the wall?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 苔蘚, which is the formal biological term for bryophytes. Use 青苔 in everyday life when referring to the green, fuzzy growth on wet surfaces.
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.
