gau2 fai6狗吠
Jyutpinggau2 fai6
Yalegáu faih
Definition
To bark; a dog's bark.
colloquialanimalsdaily actions
How it's used
While 狗吠 refers specifically to the sound a dog makes, it is frequently used metaphorically to describe someone who is shouting aggressively or complaining incessantly. Using it to describe a person is quite rude and implies that the person is being irrational or annoying. In casual speech, people often just use 吠 to describe the action of barking without needing to include 狗.
Examples
Why is the dog at your place barking so fiercely?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use 狗吠 to describe other animals making noise, as it is strictly reserved for dogs. For other animals, use specific verbs like 喵 for cats or 叫 for general animal sounds.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- 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.
