maau1 gung1貓公猫公
Jyutpingmaau1 gung1
Yalemāau gūng
Definition
A male cat.
colloquialanimals
How it's used
Adding 貓公 is the standard way to specify the gender of a cat in Cantonese. While 貓仔 can also mean a male cat, it is frequently used to mean a kitten regardless of gender, so 貓公 is preferred for clarity when talking about an adult male.
Measure word
zek3隻jekExamples
That male cat really likes to roam around.
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using 貓公 to refer to a small kitten, as it specifically implies an adult male. Use 貓仔 for kittens and 貓女 for female cats.
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.
