gau2狗
Jyutpinggau2
Yalegáu
Definition
Dog; canine commonly kept as a pet, guard animal, or working companion.
colloquialanimals
How it's used
Beyond its literal meaning, the word is frequently used in slang to describe someone who is acting in a servile or sycophantic manner. It also appears in various compound insults, so be cautious when using it in casual conversation to avoid unintended offense. When referring to a specific animal, always remember to use the classifier 隻.
Measure word
zek3隻jekExamples
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using the Mandarin term 條 as a classifier for dogs, as it is considered incorrect in Cantonese; always use 隻 for animals.
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.
