huk6酷
Jyutpinghuk6
Yalehuhk
Definition
Very; extremely; to an intense degree.
colloquialdescriptions
How it's used
While 酷 is used as a prefix to intensify adjectives like 酷熱 or 酷寒, it is also widely adopted in modern Cantonese as a loanword from English to describe someone who is cool, detached, or stylishly aloof. Unlike its formal role as an intensifier, this colloquial usage often functions as a standalone adjective. It carries a sense of being fashionably indifferent or emotionally distant.
Examples
The weather is extremely hot today, remember to bring an umbrella when you go out.
He is so cool/aloof when he works, why do you still like him?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse the intensifier 酷 with the English loanword meaning cool. When used as an intensifier, it must be followed by an adjective, whereas the loanword usage can stand alone to describe a person's personality or appearance.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- 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.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
