hok6 gau3學究学究
Jyutpinghok6 gau3
Yalehohk gau
Definition
An erudite person with book knowledge, sometimes with a negative connotation of being pedantic or inflexible.
colloquialpeopleschool
How it's used
This term is almost exclusively used with a critical tone to describe someone who is disconnected from reality due to an obsession with theory. While it technically refers to a scholar, it implies a lack of common sense or practical adaptability. It is frequently paired with adjectives like 老 to emphasize the stubbornness of the person being described.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
He is always spouting grand theories, he is just like a pedantic scholar.
Related words
Common phrases
an old-fashioned, inflexible scholar
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe someone who is simply intelligent or well-educated, as it carries a strong implication of being impractical or rigid. Using it as a compliment will likely be misunderstood as an insult.
Grammar color guide
Noun
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Adjective
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Classifier
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Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- 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.
