lok6 gau2 si2落狗屎
Jyutpinglok6 gau2 si2
Yalelohk gáu sí
Definition
To rain cats and dogs; to pour with rain.
colloquialweather
How it's used
This idiom is the standard way to describe a torrential downpour in Cantonese, functioning exactly like the English equivalent. It is much more common in casual speech than formal descriptions of weather. While it sounds vivid, it is perfectly acceptable to use in everyday conversation with friends or family.
Examples
It is pouring outside, have you brought an umbrella?
It was raining cats and dogs earlier, and I got soaked.
Related words
Common phrases
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with literal animal imagery, as it is purely an idiom for heavy rain. Avoid using it in formal written reports or professional weather forecasts where standard terms like 大雨 are expected.
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.
