nei4 gu1尼姑
Jyutpingnei4 gu1
Yalenèih gū
Definition
Buddhist nun; a fully ordained female Buddhist monastic.
neutralpeopleplaces
How it's used
Refers specifically to a woman who has taken vows in Buddhism. While it is a standard term, it can sometimes carry a slightly detached or old-fashioned nuance compared to more formal titles used within religious communities.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this term to refer to any woman with a shaved head, as it specifically denotes a Buddhist monastic. Using it as a general description for someone with short hair is considered rude or offensive.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
