laam5 kau4欖球榄球
Jyutpinglaam5 kau4
Yaleláahm kàuh
Definition
Rugby; the team sport played with an oval-shaped ball, or the rugby ball itself.
neutralsports
How it's used
Refers specifically to the sport of rugby, which is distinct from American football. In Hong Kong, the term is most commonly associated with the Hong Kong Sevens, a major annual event that draws international attention. When discussing the physical act of playing, use the verb 打, as is standard for most ball games in Cantonese.
Measure word
coeng4場chèunghExamples
Are you interested in going to watch a rugby match tomorrow?
He really liked playing rugby with his classmates when he was young.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 美式足球, which is American football. While both involve an oval ball, the rules regarding forward passing and protective gear are fundamentally different, and they are treated as separate sports in local parlance.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- 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.
