fo2 jau4火油
Jyutpingfo2 jau4
Yalefó yàuh
Definition
Kerosene.
colloquialother
How it's used
Refers specifically to kerosene, though it is now largely replaced in everyday speech by the more common term 火水. While technically interchangeable, you will hear older generations use this term more frequently when referring to fuel for heaters or lamps. It carries a slightly more industrial or old fashioned tone compared to the ubiquitous 火水.
Examples
People used to use kerosene lamps for lighting.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with gasoline or petrol, which is 汽油. Using this word to refer to car fuel will cause confusion as it is strictly for kerosene.
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.
