gaam1 lou4監牢监牢
Jyutpinggaam1 lou4
Yalegāam lòuh
Definition
Prison; a building designed to deprive people of their freedom.
neutralplaces
How it's used
Refers specifically to a physical structure of confinement, often carrying a heavy, oppressive connotation. While it can describe an actual jail, it is frequently used metaphorically to describe any environment that feels restrictive or suffocating, such as a cramped apartment or a stressful workplace.
Measure word
gaan1間gānExamples
He broke the law and has to go to prison for a few years.
This place is like a prison, it is really stuffy.
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this in formal legal contexts, as 監獄 is the standard term for a government-run correctional facility. 監牢 sounds more literary or dramatic, making it better suited for emotional descriptions rather than official reports.
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.
