lau4瘤
Jyutpinglau4
Yalelàuh
Definition
Tumour; an abnormal growth of cells or tissue in the body.
neutralhealthbody
How it's used
Refers specifically to abnormal tissue growth and is almost always used in medical contexts. While it can technically refer to benign growths, it carries a heavy, serious tone and is rarely used casually to describe minor skin bumps or pimples.
Measure word
nap1粒nāpExamples
The doctor said there is a tumour growing inside his brain.
Luckily the check-up caught it early, the tumour is benign.
Related words
Common phrases
benign tumour
malignant tumour
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 癦, which refers to a common mole on the skin. Using 瘤 to describe a simple mole will sound like you are suggesting a serious medical condition.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
