gou1 lai6高麗高丽
Jyutpinggou1 lai6
Yalegōu laih
Definition
Goryeo, a historical Korean dynasty (918–1392); also used to refer to Korea in general.
- Goryeo, a historical kingdom in the Korean Peninsula
- Korea in general
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How it's used
While historically referring to the Goryeo dynasty, this term is now primarily used in compound nouns to denote things originating from Korea. It carries a slightly old-fashioned or formal tone compared to the modern term 韓國. You will mostly encounter it in specific culinary or medicinal contexts like 高麗菜 or 高麗參.
Examples
Do you sell Korean ginseng here?
I really like watching Korean dramas.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use this term to refer to modern Korean people or the country in casual conversation, as it sounds archaic or overly formal. Use 韓國 instead for the country and 韓國人 for the people.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
