gau6舊旧
Jyutpinggau6
Yalegauh
Definition
Former, previous, or ex- (such as an ex-partner or former boss).
Example
colloquialpeople
How it's used
Functions as a prefix to indicate a previous role or relationship, similar to the English ex-. It is distinct from the adjective meaning old or aged, which is also written as 舊. Context usually makes the distinction clear, as it is almost always followed by a noun representing a person or a position.
Examples
Are you still in touch with your former classmates?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 前度, which is specifically used for a former romantic partner. While 舊 can be used for a former lover, using 前度 is more precise and common in that specific context.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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).
