ngaai6刈
Jyutpingngaai6
Yalengaaih
Definition
To mow, reap, or cut down grass and crops.
writtendaily actionsnature
How it's used
This character is primarily used in agricultural contexts involving the cutting of crops or grass. While it appears in formal writing, it is rarely used in casual city conversation unless discussing farming or gardening. It carries a more specific sense of harvesting or reaping compared to the general verb 剪.
Examples
The farmer is mowing the grass in the field.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 剪, which is used for cutting with scissors or general trimming. 刈 specifically implies a sweeping motion used for harvesting crops or clearing large patches of grass.
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.
