gung1 fu1功夫
Jyutpinggung1 fu1
Yalegūng fū
Definition
Kung fu, martial arts, or combat skills; can also mean general skill or effort.
- kung fu; martial arts; combat skills
- skill; technique; workmanship
- effort; time and energy spent on a task
colloquialpeopledaily actions
How it's used
Beyond martial arts, this term frequently refers to the time, effort, or skill required to complete a task. When used in this sense, it often appears in phrases like 嘥功夫, meaning to waste effort on something that is not worth the trouble.
Examples
He learned kung fu for a few years when he was young.
Whose kung fu do you think is the best?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the Mandarin usage where it can refer to time or leisure. In Cantonese, it almost exclusively focuses on physical skill or the effort expended on a specific project.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
