gwik1隙
Jyutpinggwik1
Yalegwīk
Definition
A crack, crevice, or gap.
colloquialdescriptions
How it's used
Used primarily as a bound morpheme in Cantonese, it rarely stands alone in everyday speech. It is almost always paired with 罅 to form 罅隙, which is the standard way to refer to a physical gap or crack. While it can appear in literary contexts, you will sound unnatural if you try to use it as a standalone noun in casual conversation.
Examples
There is a crack in the door, a lot of wind is blowing in.
Related words
Common phrases
crack or crevice
Common mistake
Learners often mistake it for a standalone noun, but it functions best as part of the compound 罅隙. Using it by itself can sound overly formal or incomplete to native speakers.
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.
