ngau4 jat1牛一
Jyutpingngau4 jat1
Yalengàuh yāt
Definition
Birthday.
colloquialtimeslang
How it's used
This term is a playful, slang-like way to refer to a birthday, derived from the character 牛 being the top part of the character 生. It carries a lighthearted and slightly old-fashioned vibe, often used among friends rather than in formal settings. While widely understood, younger generations might prefer the more direct 生日.
Examples
Today is his birthday, let's go have a nice meal.
Related words
Common phrases
to celebrate a birthday
Common mistake
Do not use this in formal writing or professional contexts, as it is strictly colloquial slang. It is also not a standard noun that you would use in every situation; it is specifically meant for casual conversation.
Grammar color guide
Noun
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Grammar guides
- 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.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
