fu6 hou6負號负号
Jyutpingfu6 hou6
Yalefuh houh
Definition
Minus sign or negative sign "-".
- negative sign; used before a number to indicate it is less than zero
- minus sign; used to indicate subtraction
neutralnumbers
How it's used
Distinguishing between the mathematical function and the symbol itself is key. While the visual representation is identical to the subtraction operator, speakers use 負號 specifically when describing the property of a number being less than zero. In casual speech, people often just say 負 followed by the number, such as 負五 for negative five.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse 負號 with 減號. Although they look the same, 負號 is a unary operator indicating a negative value, whereas 減號 is a binary operator used for the operation of subtraction.
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.
