nau2鈕钮
Jyutpingnau2
Yalenáu
Definition
Button; a fastener on garments, or any similar device used to hold things together.
colloquialclothingtechnology
How it's used
While 鈕 specifically refers to the physical button on clothing, it is also widely used for mechanical buttons or switches on electronic devices. When referring to the act of fastening buttons, the verb 扣 is commonly paired with it. It is distinct from 掣, which is used almost exclusively for electrical switches or buttons on machines.
Measure word
nap1粒nāpExamples
A button fell off the shirt, do you need help sewing it back on?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse 鈕 with 掣. Use 鈕 for clothing buttons or small push-buttons, but use 掣 for light switches, elevator buttons, or power buttons on appliances.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
