lau3 hau2嘍口喽口
Jyutpinglau3 hau2
Yalelau háu
Definition
To stutter or stammer; to speak haltingly or dysfluently.
colloquialbodycommunication
How it's used
This term specifically describes the physical or psychological difficulty in articulating words smoothly, often implying a choppy or hesitant rhythm. It is distinct from simply forgetting a word or being tongue-tied, as it carries a stronger connotation of a persistent speech impediment or a temporary state of extreme nervousness.
Examples
He stammers whenever he gets nervous and cannot finish a complete sentence.
Why are you stammering so much? Are you feeling unwell?
Related words
Common phrases
to speak with a stammer
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 漏口, which is a common typo. While 嘍口 refers to the act of stuttering or stammering, 漏口 is often used in the context of accidentally revealing a secret or letting something slip out.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
