ciu4 zau1 waa2潮州话
Jyutpingciu4 zau1 waa2
Yalechìuh jāu wá
Definition
The Teochew (Chaozhou) dialect of Southern Min Chinese.
colloquialpeoplecommunication
How it's used
Teochew is a Min Nan dialect group that is distinct from Cantonese, though many people in Hong Kong have ancestral roots in the Chaoshan region. It is often referred to as 潮州話 in casual conversation, but speakers may also call it 潮語. Because it is not mutually intelligible with Cantonese, it is treated as a separate language by local speakers rather than a regional accent.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly assume that because it is spoken in parts of Guangdong province, it is just a variety of Cantonese. It is actually a completely different branch of Chinese with its own grammar and vocabulary, so do not expect to understand it even if you are fluent in Cantonese.
Grammar color guide
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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.
