ji5 do2耳朵
Jyutpingji5 do2
Yaleyíh dó
Definition
Ear; the organ of hearing, especially the external visible part.
neutralbody
How it's used
While 耳朵 is the standard term for the organ, native speakers often use 耳仔 in casual conversation. Using 耳朵 can sound slightly more formal or anatomical, similar to saying 'auricle' or 'pinna' in English, though it is still perfectly acceptable in daily life. When referring to the physical organ, the measure_word 隻 is preferred for a single ear, while 對 is used for the pair.
Measure word
zek3隻jekExamples
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use 個 as the measure_word for ears, but 隻 or 對 are the correct choices for body parts that come in pairs. Additionally, avoid using 耳朵 when referring to the handle of a cup or a similar shape, as Cantonese speakers use 耳仔 for those metaphorical shapes instead.
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.
