haak1黑
Jyutpinghaak1
Yalehāak
Definition
Black; the color of objects that absorb all visible light.
colloquialcoloursdescriptions
How it's used
Beyond the literal color, this word is frequently used to describe a lack of light or darkness in a space. It also carries a metaphorical sense of being unlucky or sinister, similar to how dark is used in English. When referring to someone being unlucky, people often use the phrase 黑仔.
Examples
His shirt is very black, it looks like it is very dirty.
Why is the room so dark? Turn the light back on.
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe dark-skinned people, as it can be perceived as offensive or derogatory. Use 深色 or 黝黑 if you need to describe skin tone in a neutral way.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- 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.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
