gu1 zik1咕唧
Jyutpinggu1 zik1
Yalegū jīk
Definition
To tickle; to touch a part of someone's body to make them laugh.
colloquialdaily actionsbody
How it's used
This term is primarily used in playful or informal contexts, often involving children or close friends. It carries a sense of lightheartedness and physical intimacy that is distinct from more clinical or formal ways of describing the act of touching someone to provoke a reaction. You will frequently hear it repeated as a reduplicated verb to emphasize the repetitive nature of the action.
Examples
He always likes to tickle children, making them laugh non-stop.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the Mandarin term for tickling, which is different. Also, avoid using this word in professional or serious settings, as it is strictly colloquial and implies a level of familiarity that could be misinterpreted as inappropriate if used with strangers.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
