mak6 dau2墨斗
Jyutpingmak6 dau2
Yalemahk dáu
Definition
An ink marker; a traditional carpenter's line marking tool used in construction to draw straight lines.
colloquialworkdaily actions
How it's used
Beyond its literal function in construction, the term is frequently used in the idiom 墨斗魚 to refer to squid or cuttlefish, owing to the ink they release. In professional carpentry, the act of using the tool is specifically referred to as 彈墨, which highlights the snapping motion required to leave a clean, straight mark on a surface.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
The master craftsman took out the ink marker to draw the line.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse the tool with the animal. While 墨斗 refers to the construction tool, the creature is usually called 墨魚, though 墨斗魚 is a common colloquial variation in wet markets.
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.
