jyun1 cau3冤臭
Jyutpingjyun1 cau3
Yaleyūn chau
Definition
A rotten or horrible smell; a foul stench.
colloquialdescriptions
How it's used
This term specifically describes a pungent, lingering stench often associated with decay or stagnant water. It carries a stronger, more visceral connotation than the general word 臭, implying a smell that is physically repulsive and difficult to get rid of.
Examples
The trash here smells really foul.
Related words
Common phrases
a foul, rotten stench
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with general bad smells, but it is specifically reserved for smells that are offensive or putrid. Do not use it for mild or merely unpleasant odors, as it implies a level of intensity that might be considered rude or overly dramatic in polite company.
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.
