dou2 zeoi6島嶼岛屿
Jyutpingdou2 zeoi6
Yaledóu jeuih
Definition
Island; a landmass surrounded entirely by water.
neutralnatureplaces
How it's used
Although 島嶼 is the standard term for island, it sounds quite formal or literary in everyday speech. Most Hong Kongers simply use 島 when referring to a specific island, as it is more natural and concise in casual conversation.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
This island is very beautiful, many tourists go there to play.
Which island do you all want to go to for a vacation?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often use 島嶼 in contexts where it sounds overly academic or stiff. If you are talking about a specific place like Lantau Island, always use 大嶼山 instead of adding the word for island at the end.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
