kau4 can1求親求亲
Jyutpingkau4 can1
Yalekàuh chān
Definition
To propose marriage
colloquialpeoplefamily
How it's used
Refers specifically to the act of asking for someone's hand in marriage, often implying a formal or significant event. While it carries a slightly traditional or literary weight compared to the more common English loanword usage of 求婚, it remains perfectly understandable and appropriate in modern conversation.
Examples
They plan to go propose marriage next month.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 提親, which refers to the formal meeting between families to discuss marriage arrangements rather than the act of proposing to the partner directly.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
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Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- 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.
