gwai1 gau3 jyu1歸咎於归咎于
Jyutpinggwai1 gau3 jyu1
Yalegwāi gau yū
Definition
To blame or attribute a fault to someone or something.
writtenother
How it's used
This is a formal, written-style verb that sounds quite stiff in casual conversation. It is typically used in news reports, essays, or serious discussions to explain the cause of a negative outcome. Using it in everyday chat about minor issues can make you sound overly dramatic or academic.
Examples
He attributed his failure to bad luck.
Why do you have to blame me for it?
Related words
Common phrases
attribute to the individual
attribute to the environment
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use this for simple blame, but it implies a formal attribution of cause rather than a direct accusation. For everyday situations, use 賴, which is the standard colloquial way to say someone is blaming someone else.
Grammar color guide
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Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
