jau1 wan4幽魂
Jyutpingjau1 wan4
Yaleyāu wàhn
Definition
Ghost; phantom; the spirit of a person after death.
writtenother
How it's used
Literary in nature, this term is rarely used in casual daily conversation to describe actual ghosts. It carries a poetic or eerie connotation often found in ghost stories or horror films rather than everyday speech. Use 鬼 when referring to ghosts in a general, informal context.
Measure word
zek3隻jekExamples
Late at night, it seemed like he saw a ghost floating around.
Rumor has it that ghosts haunt this house, are you scared?
Related words
Common phrases
wandering ghosts and spirits
Common mistake
Avoid using this word to describe a regular ghost in a lighthearted or casual setting, as it sounds overly dramatic or archaic. Stick to 鬼 for standard usage.
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.
