juk6慾
Jyutpingjuk6
Yaleyuhk
Definition
Desire; lust; appetite.
neutralemotiondescriptions
How it's used
Used almost exclusively as a bound morpheme in compound words rather than as a standalone verb or noun in modern speech. It carries a slightly formal or philosophical weight, often appearing in contexts involving psychology or morality. When expressing the general concept of wanting something, native speakers prefer using the verb 想 or the noun 想要.
Examples
He has no desire for money.
How do you control your desires?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not attempt to use this as a standalone verb meaning to want, as it will sound unnatural and overly literary. Always pair it with other characters to form a compound noun like 慾望 or 性慾.
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.
