jat1 gau6一舊一旧
Jyutpingjat1 gau6
Yaleyāt gauh
Definition
A lump, piece, or block of something.
colloquialdescriptionsfood
How it's used
Used as a classifier for solid, irregular, or chunky objects, it implies a lack of specific shape or refinement. It is frequently applied to food items like meat or cake, but also to physical lumps on the skin or even abstractly to describe something that looks messy or clumped together.
Examples
He is holding a big lump of rock in his hand.
Common mistake
Do not use this for objects with a defined, regular shape like a book or a cup, which require the standard classifier 個. It is also not appropriate for flat, thin items like paper or cloth, which use 張.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- 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.
