gau3 fo2救火
Jyutpinggau3 fo2
Yalegau fó
Definition
To put out a fire; to fight a fire to stop it from burning.
colloquialdaily actionswork
How it's used
Refers specifically to the act of extinguishing a fire, often implying an emergency situation. While it can be used literally for house fires, it is also frequently used metaphorically to describe urgent, reactive problem solving in a workplace or project context.
Examples
The kitchen is on fire, hurry up and get water to put it out!
Have the firefighters arrived at the scene to put out the fire yet?
Related words
Common phrases
firefighters putting out a fire
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with fire-related nouns like 火燭, which describes the state of being on fire or the event of a fire itself. Use 救火 as a verb to describe the action of stopping the flames.
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.
