naam4男
Jyutpingnaam4
Yalenàahm
Definition
Male; man.
colloquialpeople
How it's used
Use 男 to describe gender or sex, but rely on 男人 when referring to an adult male person. While 男 functions as a prefix for many compound words, it sounds unnatural to use it as a standalone noun for a person without adding a classifier or a suffix like 仔 or 人.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using 男 alone as a noun to refer to a specific man in conversation, as it sounds incomplete or overly formal. Always pair it with a classifier or suffix to sound natural.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
