ngai5 dau3蟻竇蚁窦
Jyutpingngai5 dau3
Yalengáih dau
Definition
An ant's nest or anthill.
colloquialanimalsnature
How it's used
The term 竇 is a versatile word for a den, burrow, or nest, often used for animals that live in small, hidden spaces. When applied to insects, it emphasizes the physical structure of their home rather than just the colony itself. It is also frequently used metaphorically to describe a hideout or a place where people gather for illicit activities.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
There is an ant nest here, make sure you don't step on it.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse 竇 with 巢, which is the more general term for a bird's nest or animal lair. While 蟻巢 is technically correct, 蟻竇 is the more natural choice in colloquial Cantonese for an ant nest found on the ground.
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.
