gai1 sou3雞嗉鸡嗉
Jyutpinggai1 sou3
Yalegāi sou
Definition
A tiny amount; just a little bit.
colloquialfooddescriptions
How it's used
Literally referring to a bird's crop, this term is used metaphorically to describe an amount that is comically or frustratingly small. It carries a sense of dissatisfaction or criticism regarding the scarcity of something. It is most frequently used when discussing food portions or money.
Examples
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe small physical objects or people, as it specifically refers to quantities or portions. It is not a general-purpose word for small size.
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.
