gau3垢
Jyutpinggau3
Yalegau
Definition
Dirt, filth, or grime.
colloquialbodyhome
How it's used
Refers specifically to physical grime or crusty deposits that accumulate over time, such as dead skin cells on the body or mineral buildup in kitchenware. It is rarely used as a general adjective for dirty, for which 污糟 is the standard choice. When discussing personal hygiene, it often implies a lack of thorough scrubbing.
Examples
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use 垢 as an adjective to mean dirty. It is strictly a noun, so you cannot say 呢度好垢; instead, use 呢度好污糟.
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.
