kaa4 kaa2 seng1咔咔聲咔咔声
Jyutpingkaa4 kaa2 seng1
Yalekàh ká sēng
Definition
A crackling, clicking, or rattling sound.
colloquialdescriptionsother
How it's used
This is an onomatopoeic expression used to describe repetitive, sharp, mechanical clicking or grinding noises. It is specifically reserved for sounds produced by objects, such as faulty machinery, loose parts, or dry joints, rather than organic or soft sounds. The repetition of the character emphasizes the rhythmic nature of the noise.
Examples
The air conditioner is making a clicking sound after I turned it on.
Why does your bike make a clicking sound when you ride it?
Related words
Common phrases
to emit a clicking sound
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe sounds made by people or animals, as it is strictly for inanimate objects. It is also not appropriate for loud, heavy banging or crashing sounds, which would require different onomatopoeia like 嘭嘭聲.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
