ngai4猊
Jyutpingngai4
Yalengàih
Definition
A mythical beast resembling a lion, or a wild horse.
writtenanimals
How it's used
This character is almost exclusively found in classical literature or specific cultural contexts involving mythical beasts. It is rarely used in modern spoken Cantonese and would likely confuse native speakers if used in casual conversation. It is often associated with the term 狻猊, which refers to a lion-like creature in Chinese mythology.
Measure word
zek3隻jekExamples
This mythical creature looks just like the one in the legends.
Related words
Common phrases
a mythical lion-like creature
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for common animal characters, but it is strictly literary and not part of the everyday vocabulary for animals.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
