joeng5癢痒
Jyutpingjoeng5
Yaleyéuhng
Definition
Itchy; to have an itching sensation on the skin.
colloquialbodyhealth
How it's used
While 癢 is the formal character used in writing, native speakers almost exclusively use 痕 in daily speech. You will rarely hear 癢 spoken aloud unless someone is reading a formal text or specifically discussing the character itself. It functions as an adjective, so it is frequently paired with intensifiers like 好 or 咁.
Related words
Common phrases
itchy hands (often meaning an urge to touch or meddle with things)
Common mistake
Learners often confuse 痕 with 狠, which sounds similar but means fierce or ruthless. Be careful not to mix them up when speaking, as the context of skin irritation versus personality traits is completely different.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
