ho1 kau4苛求

Jyutpingho1 kau4

Yalehō kàuh

動詞Rare

Definition

To make excessive, unreasonable demands or overcriticize.

colloquialpeopledescriptions

How it's used

This term carries a formal weight that often contrasts with the casual, spoken nature of Cantonese. It is typically used when someone is being unreasonable or setting standards that are impossible to meet. While it functions as a verb, it is frequently used with the adverb 太 or 咁 to describe a state of being overly critical.

Examples

deoi3對jan4人m4唔hou2好taai2太ho1苛kau4求，mui5每go3個jan4人dou1都jau5有kyut3缺dim2點㗎。

Don't be too demanding of others, everyone has flaws.

nei5你deoi3對keoi5佢gam3咁ho1苛kau4求，keoi5佢dim2點joeng2樣zou6做dak1得hou2好aa3呀？

You are so overcritical of him, how can he do a good job?

Common phrases

ho1苛kau4求jyun4完mei5美

demanding perfection

Common mistake

Learners often confuse this with 要求, which is a neutral request. Using 苛求 implies a negative judgment about the person making the demands, so it should be avoided when simply asking for something.