gau2苟
Jyutpinggau2
Yalegáu
Definition
Temporarily or for the moment; also casually, carelessly, or indiscriminately.
- temporarily; for the moment; barely
- casually; carelessly; indiscriminately
writtendescriptions
How it's used
This character is almost exclusively used in formal or literary idioms rather than as a standalone word in spoken Cantonese. It carries a negative connotation of being sloppy, unprincipled, or merely seeking short term comfort at the expense of long term goals. You will rarely hear it in casual conversation unless someone is quoting a proverb or using a more sophisticated register.
Examples
He just seeks temporary ease and does not think about the future.
One cannot just do things carelessly; you need to be serious.
Related words
Common phrases
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with the common colloquial word 夠, which means enough. They are completely unrelated in meaning and usage.
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.
