ng5 zaau2 gam1 lung4五爪金龍五爪金龙

Jyutpingng5 zaau2 gam1 lung4

Yaleńgh jáau gām lùhng

Definition

Water monitor lizard; also used to refer to Cairo morning glory.

water monitor lizard (Varanus salvator)
Cairo morning glory (Ipomoea cairica)

colloquialanimalsnature

How it's used

Refers specifically to the Asian water monitor, which is frequently spotted in Hong Kong's country parks and near reservoirs. While the name literally translates to five claw golden dragon, it is the standard colloquial term for this reptile rather than a mythical creature. Locals often use it with a sense of surprise or caution when encountering one on a hiking trail.

Measure word

zek3隻jek

Examples

ngo5我喺hai2公gung1園jyun2見gin3到dou2隻zek3五ng5爪zaau2金gam1龍lung4呀。

I saw a monitor lizard at the park.

go2嗰zek3隻ng5五zaau2爪gam1金lung4龍paa4爬dak1得hou2好faai3快㗎。

That monitor lizard crawls really fast.

Related words

Common phrases

je5野sang1生ng5五zaau2爪gam1金lung4龍

wild monitor lizard

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with the mythical dragon or other lizard species, as it is a specific name for the monitor lizard. Using it to describe a small house gecko would be incorrect and confusing to native speakers.