gau3疚
Jyutpinggau3
Yalegau
Definition
Remorseful, uneasy, or plagued by guilt; historically also referring to chronic illness or distress.
- remorseful, compunctious, or uneasy due to guilt
- archaicchronic illness or disease
- literarypoverty, calamity, or worry
colloquialemotion
How it's used
This character is rarely used as a standalone verb in modern spoken Cantonese. It is almost exclusively found in the compound 內疚, which functions as an adjective describing a feeling of guilt or remorse. While it can technically mean other things like poverty or disease in classical texts, those meanings are effectively obsolete in daily speech.
Examples
He did something wrong and feels very remorseful inside.
Related words
Common phrases
guilty
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 救, which means to save or rescue. They sound different in tone, but beginners often mix them up when reading or typing.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
