gwok3 gaau1國交国交
Jyutpinggwok3 gaau1
Yalegwok gāau
Definition
Diplomatic relations between nations.
writtenother
How it's used
Refers specifically to formal state-to-state relations, often used in news or political discussions. It sounds significantly more formal and academic than everyday conversational Cantonese. You will rarely hear this in casual chat unless discussing international news or history.
Examples
The diplomatic relations between the two countries are very tense.
Are they planning to sever diplomatic relations?
Related words
Common phrases
sever diplomatic relations
establish diplomatic relations
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 外交, which is the broader term for diplomacy or foreign affairs. 國交 specifically focuses on the status of the relationship between two nations, whereas 外交 covers the broader practice and activities of foreign policy.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
