fau2剖
Jyutpingfau2
Yalefáu
Definition
To cut open or dissect a body.
neutralbodydaily actions
How it's used
This term is primarily used in formal or medical contexts, such as surgery or scientific dissection. In everyday life, Cantonese speakers almost always prefer using 劏 or 切開 instead, as 剖 sounds quite clinical or even violent when applied to non-medical objects.
Examples
Why do you want to cut the fruit open to take a look?
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this in casual conversation about cooking or daily tasks, as it sounds overly dramatic or technical. Using 劏 is the natural choice for preparing food or general cutting.
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.
