gaa1迦
Jyutpinggaa1
Yalegā
Definition
A character used for its phonetic sound in Buddhist terms and foreign names.
neutralother
How it's used
This character is almost exclusively used as a phonetic transcription for Sanskrit terms in Buddhist texts and terminology. It rarely appears outside of specific names like 釋迦牟尼 or geographical terms related to ancient India. Because it serves a purely phonetic function, it carries no semantic meaning in modern Cantonese vocabulary.
Examples
Shakyamuni Buddha is the founder of Buddhism.
Related words
Common phrases
Shakyamuni
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- 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.
