liu4 lok6寥落
Jyutpingliu4 lok6
Yalelìuh lohk
Definition
Sparse, scattered, or deserted and desolate.
- sparse; scattered; few and far between
- ruined; dilapidated; run-down
- deserted; quiet; desolate and lacking life
writtendescriptionsplaces
How it's used
Focuses on a sense of desolation or a lack of vitality, often used to describe places that have lost their former bustle or prosperity. While it can describe physical sparsity, it frequently carries a melancholic or slightly poetic undertone, suggesting a scene that feels abandoned or decaying.
Examples
This village is very deserted; you rarely see anyone around.
The streets late at night appear especially sparse and lonely.
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe simple physical distance or gaps between objects, as it implies a sense of decline or emptiness rather than just spacing.
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.
