dou6 gwo3度過度过
Jyutpingdou6 gwo3
Yaledouh gwo
Definition
To spend or pass time.
neutraltimedaily actions
How it's used
Focuses on the passage of time during a specific period or event, often carrying a slightly formal or literary tone compared to everyday verbs like 過. While it is perfectly acceptable in speech, native speakers frequently prefer using the simpler 過 when talking about casual daily routines. It is most commonly paired with extended durations such as holidays, weekends, or difficult phases of life.
Examples
How do you plan to spend this holiday?
We spent many happy days together.
Related words
Common phrases
to spend a holiday
to get through a difficult time
Common mistake
Avoid using this in casual contexts where you are just talking about passing time in a general sense, as it can sound overly dramatic or like a written text. For example, saying you度過 the afternoon at a cafe sounds slightly stiff compared to just saying you喺度過咗個下晝.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
