gaap3甲
Jyutpinggaap3
Yalegaap
Definition
A protective hard shell, armour, or casing on the outside of an object.
neutralanimalsdescriptions
How it's used
甲 is rarely used as a standalone noun in modern spoken Cantonese, functioning primarily as a morpheme in compound words related to protection or biology. It appears most frequently in technical terms like 裝甲 or biological classifications like 甲殼類. When referring to the outer shell of an animal, it is often paired with 殼 to form 甲殼.
Examples
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse 甲 with 盔, which specifically refers to a helmet. While both relate to protective gear, 甲 is a broader term for armour plating or shells, whereas 盔 is strictly for head protection.
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.
