ngau4 lik6牛力
Jyutpingngau4 lik6
Yalengàuh lihk
Definition
Great strength, metaphorically comparing someone's power to that of an ox.
colloquialbodydescriptions
How it's used
牛力 describes raw, physical, and often unrefined strength. It is frequently used to describe someone who performs heavy lifting or manual labor without needing much technique. It carries a slightly informal tone, emphasizing the sheer effort or force being exerted.
Examples
He is really strong, he moved all the stuff by himself.
Why are you using so much brute force?
Related words
Common phrases
to have a burst of brute strength
to use brute force
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with physical power in a technical or athletic sense, as it specifically highlights brute force rather than skill or efficiency.
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.
