lou6露
Jyutpinglou6
Yalelouh
Definition
Dew; or a liquid, lotion, or cream used for skincare or consumption.
- dew; dewdrop
- a liquid, lotion, cream, or syrup used for skincare or consumption
neutralnature
How it's used
Functions primarily as a bound morpheme in modern Cantonese, appearing in formal or literary compounds like 露水 or 露天. While it denotes dew, it is rarely used as a standalone noun in casual speech, where speakers prefer the full term 露水. It also appears in metaphorical contexts describing things that are fleeting or temporary, similar to the concept of dew evaporating quickly.
Examples
There is still a lot of dew on the grass.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for the verb 露 meaning to reveal or expose, which has a different pronunciation in some contexts. Ensure you distinguish between the noun usage related to moisture and the verb usage meaning to show or uncover.
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.
