kau4逑
Jyutpingkau4
Yalekàuh
Definition
To collect, unite, or a life companion.
writtenpeople
How it's used
Appears almost exclusively in the classical phrase 窈窕淑女，君子好逑 from the Book of Songs. Outside of this literary reference, it is rarely used in modern spoken Cantonese. It carries a formal and poetic tone that feels out of place in casual daily conversation.
Examples
The two of them have finally become a happy couple.
It is really not easy to find a good life companion.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the common verb 求 which means to seek or request. Learners often mistake the two because they share a similar sound, but 逑 is specifically reserved for the context of marriage or companionship.
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.
