jit3齧𫜩
Jyutpingjit3
Yaleyit
Definition
To gnaw or bite; also a notch.
- to gnaw or bite
- a notch
writtendaily actionsanimals
How it's used
While this character is technically correct for gnawing or biting, it is rarely used in everyday speech. Most Cantonese speakers prefer using 咬 to describe the act of biting or gnawing, as 齧 carries a more literary or descriptive tone. You will mostly encounter it in written contexts or when describing specific physical damage like a notch or a chip in an object.
Examples
The mouse is gnawing on the biscuit.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use this in casual conversation to mean biting food, as it sounds overly formal or archaic. Stick to 咬 for all general biting actions.
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.
