maa4蟆
Jyutpingmaa4
Yalemàh
Definition
Toad
neutralanimals
How it's used
Standalone usage of 蟆 is extremely rare in modern Cantonese, as it is almost exclusively seen as part of the compound 蟾蟆. While it refers to toads, it is often used in literary contexts or specific idioms rather than daily conversation about animals. When referring to the creature in a casual setting, most people simply use 蛤乸.
Measure word
zek3隻jekExamples
Related words
Common phrases
toad
Common mistake
Do not confuse 蟆 with 蝦, which means shrimp. The visual similarity between the characters can lead to confusion for learners, but they are completely unrelated in meaning.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
