fu2虎
Jyutpingfu2
Yalefú
Definition
Tiger.
colloquialanimals
How it's used
Cantonese speakers almost exclusively use the disyllabic form 老虎 when referring to the animal, as single character nouns are rare in spoken language. The character 虎 is primarily reserved for compound words or idioms. It carries a strong sense of ferocity or power, often used metaphorically to describe someone with a short temper or aggressive personality.
Measure word
zek3隻jekExamples
It seems like there are tigers roaming around this hillside.
Related words
Common phrases
a fierce woman (often used jokingly for a wife)
a person who is friendly on the surface but treacherous
Common mistake
Avoid using 虎 on its own to refer to the animal in conversation, as it sounds literary or incomplete. Always use 老虎 to ensure your speech sounds natural.
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.
