jiu1妖
Jyutpingjiu1
Yaleyīu
Definition
A low-ranking supernatural or spiritual being, typically malicious; demon, spirit, monster, or goblin.
colloquialother
How it's used
Beyond its literal meaning as a supernatural creature, this word is frequently used as an exclamation of frustration or annoyance, similar to saying "damn" or "what the hell." It often appears in the phrase 妖，又係咁樣, expressing irritation when something goes wrong yet again. When used as an adjective, it describes someone who is seductive or behaves in an unsettling, unnatural way.
Examples
It feels like there's an evil spirit here, it's so eerie.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 鬼, which is a general term for a ghost or spirit. While 鬼 can be used in many contexts including friendly ones, 妖 almost always carries a negative connotation of being malicious, deceptive, or inherently "wrong."
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.
