jau2 hak1黝黑
Jyutpingjau2 hak1
Yaleyáu hāk
Definition
Dark; tanned, usually describing skin.
colloquialbodydescriptions
How it's used
Describes a deep, healthy, or sun-kissed tan rather than a dirty appearance. While it can be used for other objects, it is almost exclusively reserved for human skin in daily speech. It carries a slightly more descriptive or literary tone than simply saying 黑.
Examples
Why is your skin so dark?
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe objects that are simply black, as it specifically implies a complexion or a skin-like texture. Use 黑 for general objects to avoid sounding overly formal or poetic.
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.
