gau2 coi2九彩
Jyutpinggau2 coi2
Yalegáu chói
Definition
Extremely; seriously; or possessing many colors.
- slangextremely; severely; seriously
- multicolored; possessing many colors
colloquialdescriptionsslang
How it's used
Originally referring to a vibrant display of many colors, this term has evolved into a common intensifier for negative experiences like being scolded or beaten. It carries a sense of intensity or excess, often implying that something has been done to an extreme degree. It is frequently paired with verbs of action or conflict to emphasize the severity of the outcome.
Examples
She is dressed so flamboyantly today, very eye-catching.
Being scolded severely, it is really miserable.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with literal color descriptions, as it is almost exclusively used as an intensifier for negative situations in modern speech. Using it to describe a rainbow or a painting would sound unnatural or confusing to native speakers.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- 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.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
