hyun3 gou3勸告劝告
Jyutpinghyun3 gou3
Yalehyun gou
Definition
Advice or exhortation given with good intentions.
neutralpeoplecommunication
How it's used
This word carries a formal or serious weight, often implying that the speaker is in a position of authority or deep concern. It is rarely used in casual, everyday chatter between friends, where 建議 or 意見 are much more common. Using it in a lighthearted situation can make you sound overly dramatic or like you are delivering a stern warning.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
He is giving you some advice out of kindness, don't be so stubborn.
If you are willing to listen to this advice of mine, you will surely have fewer troubles later.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often use this as a direct translation for any kind of advice, but it sounds unnatural when giving simple suggestions like where to eat or what movie to watch. Stick to 建議 for general recommendations.
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.
