ngaa5 haang1瓦坑
Jyutpingngaa5 haang1
Yalengáh hāang
Definition
The channel or hollow between roof tiles formed by their uneven alignment.
colloquialhomeplaces
How it's used
Beyond the literal architectural meaning, this term is most famously embedded in the idiom 狗上瓦坑, which describes someone who is out of their element or acting in a way that is inherently unnatural or suspicious. Because traditional clay roof tiles are rarely used in modern high-rise architecture, the word is increasingly associated with older village houses or historical buildings.
Measure word
tiu4條tìuhExamples
The cat walked along the roof tile groove and almost fell off.
Do you know why the roof tile grooves collect water?
Related words
Common phrases
to be in an awkward or suspicious situation
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with general roof surfaces or flat roof areas, as the term specifically refers to the concave channel created by the overlapping pattern of traditional tiles.
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.
