hau4 ji4猴兒猴儿
Jyutpinghau4 ji4
Yalehàuh yìh
Definition
Monkey
colloquialanimals
How it's used
While 猴兒 is a valid term for monkey, it is significantly less common in daily Hong Kong Cantonese than 馬騮. Using 猴兒 can sound slightly more literary, playful, or reminiscent of Northern Chinese influence, whereas 馬騮 is the standard, everyday word used by all speakers.
Measure word
zek3隻jekExamples
Related words
Common phrases
a mischievous child
Common mistake
Learners often use 猴兒 because it appears in dictionaries, but native speakers will almost exclusively use 馬騮 in casual conversation. Using 猴兒 might make your speech sound a bit unnatural or like you are reading from a textbook.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
