gu1 noeng4姑娘
Jyutpinggu1 noeng4
Yalegū nèuhng
Definition
An honorific term of address for a female nurse or a female social worker.
- female nurse
- female social worker
colloquialpeoplehealth
How it's used
Using this term is the standard way to address female nurses in Hong Kong hospitals and clinics. It carries a sense of respect while remaining friendly and approachable. Note that it is specifically for female staff, as male nurses are almost always addressed as 阿sir.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
Nurse, my wound seems to be infected.
Did you ask the nurse for medicine earlier?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use this term to address a female stranger on the street, as it can sound condescending or old-fashioned depending on the context. It is strictly reserved for professional settings like hospitals or clinics.
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).
