gaap3 hok3 cung4甲殼蟲甲壳虫
Jyutpinggaap3 hok3 cung4
Yalegaap hok chùhng
Definition
Beetle; any insect of the order Coleoptera.
neutralanimals
How it's used
Refers specifically to insects with hard wing covers. While technically correct, locals often use more general terms like 昆蟲 or describe the specific type of bug if they know it, as this term is slightly more formal or scientific than everyday casual speech.
Measure word
zek3隻jekExamples
I saw a beetle in the park.
Related words
Common phrases
black beetle
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the car model Volkswagen Beetle, which is also called 甲殼蟲 in Hong Kong. Context is usually sufficient to distinguish between the insect and the vehicle.
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.
