gwai1龜龟
Jyutpinggwai1
Yalegwāi
Definition
Turtle or tortoise.
colloquialanimals
How it's used
Beyond the literal meaning, 龜 is frequently used in slang to describe someone who is extremely slow or sluggish in their actions. It can also appear in derogatory contexts related to cuckoldry, so be careful when using it to describe people directly. When referring to the animal, it is almost always used with the classifier 隻.
Measure word
zek3隻jekExamples
This turtle is so cute, where did you buy it?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse 龜 with 鱉, which specifically refers to the soft-shelled turtle often used in Cantonese soups. While both are types of turtles, 龜 is the general term for hard-shelled varieties.
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.
