lou4勞劳
Jyutpinglou4
Yalelòuh
Definition
To work, labour, or put in physical or mental effort.
neutralwork
How it's used
Functions primarily as a bound morpheme in Cantonese rather than a standalone verb. It appears most frequently in compound words describing physical or mental exertion. When used in speech, it often carries a sense of weariness or the toll that hard work takes on a person.
Examples
He really puts his heart and soul into his job.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use this as a standalone verb for 'to work' in daily conversation, as that would sound unnatural or overly literary. Use 做嘢 instead for general work tasks.
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.
