long4螂
Jyutpinglong4
Yalelòhng
Definition
An insect; used in compound words for insects like cockroaches, mantises, or dragonflies.
colloquialanimalsnature
How it's used
The character 螂 is rarely used on its own in modern spoken Cantonese, as it is almost exclusively seen as part of the compound 螳螂 for mantis or 曱甴 for cockroach. When referring to a dragonfly, the standard term is 蜻蜓. Using 螂 by itself will likely confuse native speakers as it feels like an incomplete fragment of a longer word.
Measure word
zek3隻jekRelated words
Common phrases
mantis
Common mistake
Do not use 螂 to refer to a dragonfly in conversation, as it is not a standalone word for that insect. Always use the full term 蜻蜓.
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.
