haang1 keoi4 lou5 syu2坑渠老鼠
Jyutpinghaang1 keoi4 lou5 syu2
Yalehāang kèuih lóuh syú
Definition
Sewer rat; brown rat.
colloquialanimals
How it's used
Refers specifically to the common brown or black rats found in urban drainage systems and alleys. While the standard term for rat is 老鼠, adding 坑渠 emphasizes the dirty, pest-like nature of the animal. It is often used to describe something or someone that is particularly grimy or unpleasant.
Measure word
zek3隻jekExamples
There are many rats running around over there.
Are you afraid when you see rats?
Related words
Common phrases
like a sewer rat
Common mistake
Avoid using this term to refer to pet rats or hamsters, as it carries a strong negative connotation of filth and disease. Use the generic term 老鼠 instead for neutral contexts.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
