gau2玖
Jyutpinggau2
Yalegáu
Definition
The formal capital form of the numeral nine, used in financial contexts to prevent fraud.
writtennumbersmoney
How it's used
Used almost exclusively in formal financial documents like cheques or legal contracts to prevent tampering. Because the standard numeral 九 is easily altered into other numbers by adding strokes, this complex form ensures the amount remains secure. You will rarely encounter this in casual conversation unless you are discussing banking procedures or calligraphy.
Examples
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use this in everyday counting or casual writing, as it will look bizarrely formal or pretentious. Stick to 九 for all non-financial contexts.
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.
