gaam2 hou6減號减号
Jyutpinggaam2 hou6
Yalegáam houh
Definition
Minus sign, the mathematical symbol "-" used to indicate subtraction or negative numbers.
neutralschoolnumbers
How it's used
While the character shape is identical to the hyphen used in punctuation or the negative sign in mathematics, the name changes based on its function. Use 減號 when referring specifically to the operation of subtraction, but switch to 負號 when the symbol indicates a negative value.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
You need to add a minus sign in the middle of this equation.
Related words
Common mistake
Beginners often confuse the mathematical symbol with the punctuation dash or hyphen, which are visually similar but serve entirely different grammatical purposes in writing.
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.
