kei4 naa2蜞乸
Jyutpingkei4 naa2
Yalekèih ná
Definition
Leech; a predatory or parasitic annelid worm.
colloquialanimalsnature
How it's used
This term is the standard colloquial name for leeches in Hong Kong. While the formal term 水蛭 is understood, locals almost exclusively use 蜞乸 in everyday speech when discussing outdoor activities like hiking or farming. It carries a slightly visceral, grounded feel compared to the more clinical sounding formal term.
Measure word
zek3隻jekExamples
Be careful when hiking, you don't want to get bitten by a leech.
Why is there a leech on your foot?
Related words
Common phrases
bitten by a leech
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with other small insects or worms found in nature. Remember that it specifically refers to the blood-sucking parasite found in water or damp soil, not just any garden worm.
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.
