ngai5蟻蚁
Jyutpingngai5
Yalengáih
Definition
Ant
colloquialanimals
How it's used
While 螞蟻 is the standard full term, Cantonese speakers almost exclusively use the single character 蟻 in daily speech. It is common to hear it used in compound words like 蟻竇 for anthill or 蟻民 to describe ordinary, powerless citizens. The word is frequently associated with the image of ants swarming or moving in a line.
Measure word
zek3隻jekRelated words
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
