ngoi6 hok3外殼外壳
Jyutpingngoi6 hok3
Yalengoih hok
Definition
The hard outer covering, shell, or casing of an object or animal.
neutraldaily actionsdescriptions
How it's used
Refers specifically to the rigid, protective exterior of an object or organism. While it can be used for biological shells, it is equally common for inanimate objects like electronic devices or machinery. When describing the outer layer of a fruit or nut, it is often interchangeable with 皮, though 外殼 emphasizes the structural, protective nature of the covering.
Measure word
cang4層chànghExamples
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 殼, which is the general term for a shell. While 殼 can stand alone, 外殼 is more precise when you want to highlight the outer layer specifically as a casing or housing.
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.
