maau1 tau4 jing1貓頭鷹猫头鹰
Jyutpingmaau1 tau4 jing1
Yalemāau tàuh yīng
Definition
Owl; a nocturnal bird of prey with large eyes and a head that can rotate 270 degrees.
neutralanimals
How it's used
Despite the name containing 鷹, which means eagle or hawk, these birds are biologically distinct and belong to the order Strigiformes. The term is often used in metaphors for people who stay up late or have keen observation skills. In some traditional superstitions, they were once considered omens of bad luck, though this view has largely faded in modern urban life.
Measure word
zek3隻jekExamples
I saw an owl in the park last night.
Related words
Common phrases
big, round eyes like an owl
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly categorize them as eagles due to the character 鷹 in the name. Remember that they are nocturnal birds of prey and are taxonomically separate from the raptors typically associated with the word 鷹.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- 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.
