ngou4聱
Jyutpingngou4
Yalengòuh
Definition
Difficult to pronounce or too complicated to say
colloquialdescriptionscommunication
How it's used
Primarily used to describe words, names, or phrases that feel awkward or tongue-twisting to articulate. It focuses specifically on the physical difficulty of pronunciation rather than the intellectual complexity of the meaning. It is often paired with 讀 to emphasize the act of speaking the word aloud.
Examples
This word is so hard to pronounce, I can't say it smoothly.
Related words
Common phrases
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 難, which is a general term for difficulty. 聱 is specifically restricted to phonetic or articulatory awkwardness.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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).
