jau5 waak6誘惑诱惑
Jyutpingjau5 waak6
Yaleyáuh waahk
Definition
To tempt, seduce, or attract someone.
colloquialemotiondescriptions
How it's used
Functions as both a verb and an adjective in Cantonese. When used as an adjective, it describes something that is highly attractive or hard to resist, often carrying a slightly dangerous or indulgent undertone. It is frequently used in contexts involving consumerism, such as sales or luxury goods, as well as in personal moral dilemmas.
Examples
The features of this new phone model are really tempting.
You must not let yourself be tempted into gambling.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 吸引, which simply means to attract or be interesting. 誘惑 carries a stronger sense of moral temptation or leading someone astray, whereas 吸引 is neutral and can be used for anything from a good movie to a beautiful view.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
