gam1 si1 maau1金絲貓金丝猫
Jyutpinggam1 si1 maau1
Yalegām sī māau
Definition
A fighting spider of the genus Thiania, kept as a pet and used for spider fighting.
colloquialanimalsdaily actions
How it's used
Refers specifically to the jumping spider, often kept in small matchboxes by children for traditional spider fighting games. While the term literally translates to golden-silk cat, it is strictly used for this specific type of spider and never for actual cats. It carries a strong sense of nostalgia for older generations who grew up playing with these insects in local neighborhoods.
Measure word
zek3隻jekExamples
When I was a kid, I really liked catching jumping spiders to play with.
Do you know where I can catch some jumping spiders?
Related words
Common phrases
to catch jumping spiders
to have jumping spiders fight
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the term 金絲貓 used in some contexts to refer to a blonde woman, as that is a completely different, often derogatory, slang usage.
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.
