gou1 daai6高大
Jyutpinggou1 daai6
Yalegōu daaih
Definition
Tall and well-built; of a large, high, and broad physique.
colloquialbodydescriptions
How it's used
Focuses on a combination of height and physical breadth, implying a sturdy or imposing build rather than just being tall. It is frequently used to describe men or boys, often carrying a positive connotation of strength or presence. Unlike the Mandarin usage which can sometimes be more abstract, this remains firmly rooted in describing physical stature.
Examples
He is tall and big, so he must have an advantage in basketball.
Have you seen that tall and big guy yet?
Related words
Common phrases
tall, big, and imposing
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe thin or lanky people, as it specifically implies a degree of bulk or width alongside height. Use 高瘦 for someone who is tall and thin.
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).
