ngaa5 bui3瓦背
Jyutpingngaa5 bui3
Yalengáh bui
Definition
Roof; the top of a building.
colloquialhomeplaces
How it's used
Refers specifically to the tiled surface of a traditional roof rather than the general structure of a modern concrete building. It evokes a more rustic or older architectural style compared to the common term 屋頂. Use it when describing houses with pitched, tiled roofs or when emphasizing the exterior surface.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
The cat climbed onto the roof to sunbathe.
Did the roof leak when the typhoon hit?
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this for modern high-rise apartments or flat concrete roofs, as it sounds archaic or overly specific to traditional tiled construction. Use 天台 for a flat rooftop or 屋頂 for a generic roof.
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.
