jau1幽
Jyutpingjau1
Yaleyāu
Definition
Secret, hidden, or quiet and tranquil.
- secret; hidden; unknown to others
- quiet; tranquil; secluded
writtendescriptions
How it's used
This morpheme carries a sense of seclusion or darkness that is often associated with tranquility or mystery. It is rarely used as a standalone word in spoken Cantonese, appearing almost exclusively in compound words that describe quiet, hidden, or deep settings. You will most frequently encounter it in literary or descriptive contexts rather than in casual daily conversation.
Examples
The two of them often go on secret dates.
The environment here is very quiet and secluded.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 憂, which relates to worry or sorrow, as they share a similar sound in some romanization systems but have completely different meanings.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
