gaat6 zaat6甴曱
Jyutpinggaat6 zaat6
Yalegaaht jaaht
Definition
Cockroach
colloquialanimals
How it's used
This term is the standard colloquial way to refer to cockroaches in Hong Kong. It is almost exclusively used in spoken Cantonese, while the formal term 蟑螂 is reserved for written contexts or scientific discussions. Using 蟑螂 in casual conversation can sound overly clinical or stiff.
Measure word
zek3隻jekExamples
There is a cockroach in the kitchen, I'm so scared!
Related words
Common phrases
to kill a cockroach
Common mistake
Learners often struggle with the pronunciation of this word, as it is a unique Cantonese colloquialism that does not follow standard Mandarin phonetics. Avoid using the Mandarin term 蟑螂 unless you are writing a formal report or essay.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- 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.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
