leoi4 gung1 se4雷公蛇
Jyutpingleoi4 gung1 se4
Yalelèuih gūng sèh
Definition
Changeable lizard or oriental garden lizard, commonly mistaken for a gecko.
colloquialanimals
How it's used
This term is the standard colloquial name for a gecko in Hong Kong, preferred over the formal term 壁虎. It carries a slightly superstitious connotation, as the name literally references the God of Thunder, reflecting old folk beliefs that these creatures were messengers or related to lightning. You will hear it used frequently in residential settings, especially during humid summer nights when they appear on exterior walls.
Measure word
zek3隻jekExamples
There is a gecko on the wall, I'm so scared!
Related words
Common phrases
to catch a gecko
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the formal term 壁虎, which is rarely used in spoken Cantonese. Using the formal term might make you sound like you are reading from a textbook rather than speaking naturally.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- 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.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
