ong1 zong1骯髒肮脏
Jyutpingong1 zong1
Yaleōng jōng
Definition
Dirty, filthy, or soiled; also used to describe immoral actions or schemes.
- dirty; filthy; soiled
- figurativeimmoral; underhanded; corrupt
neutraldescriptions
How it's used
While 骯髒 is understood in Cantonese, it is considered a more formal or written term compared to the everyday spoken word 污糟. Using 污糟 is far more natural in casual conversation when describing anything from a messy room to a stained shirt. Reserve 骯髒 for more serious contexts like moral corruption or formal descriptions.
Examples
Your shoes are filthy, wipe them before coming inside.
This job involves dirty dealings, you really shouldn't do it.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often use 骯髒 in casual speech where 污糟 is expected, which can sound slightly stiff or like you are reading from a textbook. Stick to 污糟 for daily life to sound more like a local.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
