lou4 gu3牢固
Jyutpinglou4 gu3
Yalelòuh gu
Definition
Firm, secure, or solid, especially regarding buildings or assembled objects.
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How it's used
While 牢固 is understood in Cantonese, it carries a slightly more formal or written tone compared to the ubiquitous 穩陣. You will frequently encounter 牢固 in technical descriptions, product manuals, or news reports about construction safety. In casual, everyday speech, native speakers almost always prefer 穩陣 to describe something that is sturdy or reliable.
Examples
This chair is built very securely, feel free to sit on it.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often use 牢固 to describe abstract concepts like a relationship or a plan, but in those contexts, Cantonese speakers prefer 穩陣 or 穩固. Using 牢固 for non-physical objects can sound overly stiff or like a direct translation from written Chinese.
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.
