gwaat3颳刮
Jyutpinggwaat3
Yalegwaat
Definition
To blow hard, as of strong wind or a typhoon.
colloquialweather
How it's used
Primarily reserved for describing strong winds or typhoons, this verb carries a sense of force and intensity. It is rarely used for a light breeze, which would be better described using the verb 吹. You will most frequently encounter it in weather reports or when discussing storm conditions.
Examples
It is blowing hard outside, you should not go out.
The observatory says it will be windy later, remember to close the windows.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use 颳 for any movement of air, but it specifically implies a forceful or gusty wind. Using it for a gentle breeze sounds unnatural and overly dramatic.
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.
