gau2 mou4 cung4狗毛蟲狗毛虫
Jyutpinggau2 mou4 cung4
Yalegáu mòuh chùhng
Definition
Woolly bear caterpillar
colloquialanimalsnature
How it's used
Refers specifically to the fuzzy, hairy caterpillars often found in gardens or parks. While technically a biological term, it is used colloquially by children and adults alike when spotting these distinct insects. It captures the visual texture of the creature perfectly, as the name literally translates to dog hair worm.
Measure word
tiu4條tìuhExamples
That woolly bear caterpillar is crawling on the leaf.
Related words
Common phrases
to see a woolly bear caterpillar
many woolly bear caterpillars
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with generic terms for caterpillars like 毛蟲, as 狗毛蟲 specifically implies the hairy, fuzzy variety. Be careful not to touch them, as the hairs can cause skin irritation.
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.
