lau4劉刘
Jyutpinglau4
Yalelàuh
Definition
A Chinese surname, typically romanized as Lau or Lao.
neutralpeople
How it's used
Surnames are almost always preceded by a title like 先生, 太太, or 小姐 when addressing someone politely. Unlike in English, you should never refer to someone by their surname alone in a professional or formal setting, as it sounds blunt or overly familiar.
Examples
Did Mr. Lau go to work today?
My friend's surname is Lau, and he lives in Sha Tin.
Related words
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.
