maau4矛
Jyutpingmaau4
Yalemàauh
Definition
Spear, lance, or javelin.
neutralother
How it's used
Refers specifically to the traditional long-handled weapon with a sharp metal tip. It is rarely used in modern daily life except when discussing history, martial arts, or mythology. The term is most frequently encountered in the idiom 矛盾, which describes a logical conflict or inconsistency.
Measure word
zi1枝jīExamples
In ancient times, people often used spears in battles.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the adjective 矛, which is slang for being unfair, cheating, or acting in a biased way during games or competitions.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- 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.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).



