fo2 zuk1火燭火烛
Jyutpingfo2 zuk1
Yalefó jūk
Definition
An uncontrolled fire that causes danger or damage.
colloquialother
How it's used
Used primarily to describe an emergency situation involving an uncontrolled fire, rather than a controlled flame like a candle or stove. It functions as both a noun and an intransitive verb, making it highly versatile in urgent communication. When someone shouts this, it is an immediate call to action for evacuation.
Examples
The building is on fire, everyone get downstairs quickly!
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe a controlled fire, such as a campfire or a gas stove flame, as those are simply called 火. Using this for a small, intentional flame sounds like you are reporting a dangerous emergency.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- 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.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.



