gong2 gau3講究讲究
Jyutpinggong2 gau3
Yalegóng gau
Definition
To be very particular about; to pay close attention to, or have high standards for something.
colloquialdescriptionsdaily actions
How it's used
Focuses on the high standards or meticulous attention one pays to specific details, often implying a sense of refinement or pickiness. It is frequently used to describe someone who refuses to settle for anything less than a certain quality, whether in food, fashion, or lifestyle. The term carries a slightly sophisticated nuance compared to simply saying someone is picky.
Examples
He is very particular about drinking tea.
Do you really need to be so particular about your lifestyle?
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using it to mean 'to speak' or 'to discuss' as one might in Mandarin, because in Cantonese it almost exclusively refers to being particular or fastidious about something.
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.
