ho1坷
Jyutpingho1
Yalehō
Definition
A clod of earth.
colloquialnature
How it's used
This term is specifically used for a solid, hardened lump of soil or dirt. It is rarely used in isolation and almost always appears with a classifier like 嚿 to emphasize the physical chunkiness of the object. While it describes earth, it is distinct from generic mud or dust because it implies a degree of structural integrity that can be kicked or broken apart.
Measure word
gau6嚿gauhExamples
There is a clod of earth on the ground, walk carefully.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 泥, which is the general substance of soil or mud. Using 坷 implies a distinct, singular piece of hardened earth rather than the material itself.
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.
