haa1 mou1蝦蟆虾蟆
Jyutpinghaa1 mou1
Yalehā mōu
Definition
Toad; a type of poisonous frog-like amphibian.
colloquialanimals
How it's used
Refers specifically to the warty, terrestrial amphibian often found in gardens or near water. While technically a biological term, it is frequently used in idioms to describe someone who is unattractive or overreaching in their ambitions. It carries a slightly rougher, more rustic connotation compared to the more general term for frogs.
Measure word
zek3隻jekExamples
That toad just jumped out from the bushes.
Related words
Common phrases
a toad wanting to eat swan meat, meaning someone dreaming of something out of their league
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 青蛙, which refers to smooth-skinned frogs. Using 蝦蟆 to describe a regular frog will sound inaccurate to native speakers who distinguish between the two based on skin texture and habitat.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
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Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
