jap6 kau3入寇

Jyutpingjap6 kau3

Yaleyahp kau

Definition

An enemy invading one's territory.

writtenother

How it's used

Reserved for formal, historical, or literary contexts, this term sounds highly dramatic and archaic in everyday speech. It implies a large scale, organized military incursion rather than a minor skirmish or a simple break-in. You will mostly encounter it in period dramas, academic discussions of dynastic history, or when describing epic battles.

Examples

lik6歷si2史syu1書waa6話ji5以cin4前jau5有ngoi6外zuk6族jap6入kau3寇。

History books say that foreign tribes invaded in the past.

bin1邊ging2境go2嗰bin1邊hai6係mai6咪jau5有gwan1軍deoi2隊jap6入kau3寇aa4呀？

Is there an army invading across the border?

Common phrases

ngoi6外zuk6族jap6入kau3寇

foreign tribes invading

bin1邊ging2境jap6入kau3寇

border invasion

Common mistake

Avoid using this to describe someone breaking into a house or a shop, as it is strictly reserved for military or state-level invasions. For a common break-in, use 爆格 instead.