kaau3靠
Jyutpingkaau3
Yalekaau
Definition
To keep to, get near, or lean towards; to rely or depend on.
- to keep to; to get near; to lean towards a direction
- to lean against; to rest on
- to rely on; to depend on
colloquialdaily actionspeople
How it's used
Beyond the physical sense of moving toward or staying near an edge, this verb is frequently used to describe emotional or financial reliance on someone. When used in this sense, it often implies a sense of vulnerability or lack of independence. It is also commonly used in the phrase 靠害, which describes someone who intentionally causes trouble or sets another person up for failure.
Examples
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse the physical meaning of moving toward an edge with the abstract meaning of relying on someone. Ensure context clarifies whether you are talking about spatial positioning or personal dependency.
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.
