geoi2踽
Jyutpinggeoi2
Yalegéui
Definition
Hunchbacked, or self-reliant and solitary.
- hunchbacked
- self-reliant; solitary
colloquialbodydescriptions
How it's used
This term is specifically used to describe a physical posture where the back is curved or stooped, often due to age or habit. It carries a slightly descriptive or observational tone rather than a purely medical one. While it can imply a sense of isolation or walking alone in literary contexts, in everyday spoken Cantonese, it almost exclusively refers to the physical appearance of a hunched back.
Examples
The old man is a bit hunchbacked when he walks.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 駝背, which is the more common, standard term for a hunchback. Using 踽 in casual conversation might sound slightly poetic or old-fashioned to some speakers, as it is less frequently used than the more direct 駝背.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
