hyun2犬
Jyutpinghyun2
Yalehyún
Definition
Dog; hound.
neutralanimals
How it's used
Functions almost exclusively as a bound morpheme in compound words rather than as a standalone noun in daily speech. While 狗 is the standard term for a dog, 犬 appears in formal, technical, or specific professional contexts like 警犬 or 導盲犬. Using it as a synonym for 狗 in casual conversation will sound overly formal or literary.
Measure word
zek3隻jekExamples
What breed of hound is this?
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using it to refer to a pet dog in casual conversation, as it sounds like a textbook or scientific term. Always use 狗 when talking about a regular pet.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
