gou1 ling4高齡高龄
Jyutpinggou1 ling4
Yalegōu lìhng
Definition
Advanced age; elderly.
neutralpeoplehealth
How it's used
Focuses specifically on the status of being elderly rather than just the number of years lived. It is frequently used in formal or medical contexts, such as describing health risks or social welfare eligibility. While it carries a respectful tone, it is less common in casual conversation than simply saying 老人家.
Examples
Although he is of advanced age, his body is still very healthy.
Are there any elderly people at home that need taking care of?
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe someone's age in a casual, friendly setting as it can sound overly clinical or detached. It is not a direct substitute for the adjective 老, which is much more versatile for everyday descriptions.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
