hau2 tau4 sim4口頭禪口头禅
Jyutpinghau2 tau4 sim4
Yaleháu tàuh sìhm
Definition
Pet phrase; a catchphrase or saying that one habitually and frequently repeats.
colloquialcommunicationpeople
How it's used
Refers specifically to a word or short phrase that someone repeats unconsciously during conversation. It functions as a filler or a reflex rather than a deliberate choice of words. People often tease friends about their habits by pointing out these phrases.
Measure word
geoi3句geuiExamples
He always says "that's just how it is," it's really his pet phrase.
Related words
Common phrases
to use a pet phrase
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with a catchphrase from a movie or a slogan, which are usually intentional and used for effect. A true口頭禪 is something the speaker is often unaware they are saying.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
