hou3耗
Jyutpinghou3
Yalehou
Definition
To consume, cost, or use up resources, money, or energy.
neutraldaily actionsother
How it's used
Unlike the more common colloquial verb 用, which is neutral, 耗 carries a specific nuance of draining or depleting resources. It is frequently used in compound words relating to efficiency or wastage, such as 消耗 or 耗損. While it can function as a verb, it is most often encountered in formal or technical contexts rather than casual conversation.
Examples
Related words
Common phrases
to expend physical energy
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use 耗 as a direct synonym for spend when talking about money, but it is rarely used for personal spending. Instead, use 花 or 用 for money, and reserve 耗 for abstract resources like time, energy, or electricity.
Grammar color guide
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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.
