lau4 sou1留鬚留须
Jyutpinglau4 sou1
Yalelàuh sōu
Definition
To grow or keep a beard, moustache, or whiskers.
colloquialbodydaily actions
How it's used
Focuses specifically on the act of letting facial hair grow out over time rather than just having a beard. It is commonly used when someone decides to change their appearance by stopping shaving for a while. The term implies a deliberate choice to maintain the hair rather than just being unshaven.
Examples
He has been growing a beard lately, he looks much more mature.
Are you planning to grow a beard? You look much older.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 剃鬚, which means to shave. Also, ensure you use 留 as the verb for growing hair, as other verbs like 生 might imply the hair is growing naturally without human intervention.
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.
