ceot1黢
Jyutpingceot1
Yalechēut
Definition
Dark or black.
colloquialdescriptionscolours
How it's used
Used almost exclusively in the reduplicated form 黢黢 to describe an intense, dirty, or sun-baked blackness. It carries a slightly negative or informal connotation of being grimy or weathered, rather than just the color black itself. You will rarely hear it used as a standalone adjective in casual speech.
Examples
His face is pitch black, as if he hasn't washed it in ages.
Why are your hands so pitch black?
Related words
Common phrases
pitch black
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 黑, which is the neutral and standard word for black. Using 黢 in formal writing or professional contexts will sound strange or overly descriptive, as it is strictly colloquial.
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.
