muk6 ngau5木偶
Jyutpingmuk6 ngau5
Yalemuhk ngáuh
Definition
A puppet or marionette; a human figure made of wood.
neutralpeopleother
How it's used
Beyond the literal meaning of a physical puppet, this term is frequently used metaphorically to describe someone who lacks agency or acts like a mindless follower. It carries a strong connotation of being controlled by others or being emotionally detached and stiff. When describing a person acting like a puppet, it is common to use the comparison particle 咁 to emphasize their lack of reaction.
Measure word
zek3隻jekExamples
He is like a puppet, completely expressionless.
Related words
Common phrases
puppet show
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 公仔, which is a general term for dolls, figurines, or stuffed toys. While a puppet is a type of figure, 木偶 specifically implies the mechanism of being controlled or manipulated, whereas 公仔 is usually just a decorative or play object.
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.
