gaai3蚧
Jyutpinggaai3
Yalegaai
Definition
Scale insect or horned toad.
- technicalscale insect; coccid
- datedhorned toad; red-spotted lizard
neutralanimals
How it's used
Refers specifically to the horned toad or certain types of scale insects depending on the context. It is rarely used in casual conversation as these creatures are not common household pets or pests in urban Hong Kong. You will mostly encounter this term in biological or agricultural discussions rather than daily life.
Measure word
zek3隻jekExamples
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 介 which is a common character used in words like 介紹. The radical 虫 clearly indicates its biological nature.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
