gou2稿
Jyutpinggou2
Yalegóu
Definition
A draft, manuscript, or sketch prepared for future revision.
neutralworkcommunication
How it's used
Refers specifically to a preliminary version of a document or creative work that is expected to undergo further editing. It is frequently used in professional settings like journalism or publishing to describe a story before it is finalized. When used as a verb, it implies the act of preparing such a document, often paired with the particle 咗 to indicate the completion of the drafting process.
Measure word
fan2份fánExamples
This draft still has many parts that need changing.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the Mandarin term 稿子, which is less common in spoken Cantonese. Learners often use it as a general word for any document, but it specifically carries the nuance of being unfinished or subject to revision.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
