mou5 zi2拇指
Jyutpingmou5 zi2
Yalemóuh jí
Definition
Thumb; the first digit of the hand.
neutralbody
How it's used
While 拇指 is the standard term, speakers often use the more colloquial term 大拇指 or simply 大手指 when talking about the thumb in daily life. It is common to refer to the thumb as the leader of the fingers, and it plays a central role in gestures like the thumbs up, which is universally understood in Hong Kong.
Measure word
zek3隻jekExamples
Related words
Common phrases
to give a thumbs up
Common mistake
Learners often confuse the measure word for fingers. While 隻 is the most common measure word for body parts like hands and fingers, avoid using 個 as it sounds unnatural for anatomical parts.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- 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.
- 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.
