kau3扣
Jyutpingkau3
Yalekau
Definition
To buckle or fasten; to deduct or subtract.
- to buckle, fasten, or button up
- to deduct or subtract money, points, or value
colloquialdaily actionsclothing
How it's used
Beyond the physical act of fastening, this verb is frequently used in financial contexts to mean deducting money from a balance or salary. It carries a sense of securing something in place, whether it is a physical buckle or a metaphorical hold on funds. When referring to clothing, it specifically targets the action of engaging buttons or hooks.
Examples
Remember to fasten your seat belt.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the Mandarin usage where it can mean to frame or accuse someone, as that sense is not standard in Cantonese. Learners often use it incorrectly for tying knots, but for knots, use 綁 instead.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- 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.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
