paa4爬
Jyutpingpaa4
Yalepàh
Definition
To crawl or creep, moving with all limbs close to the ground.
colloquialdaily actions
How it's used
Beyond the literal movement of crawling, this verb is frequently used to describe the act of climbing up steep terrain or structures like mountains or ladders. It carries a sense of effort and physical exertion, often implying that the surface is difficult to traverse. When referring to the specific action of an infant moving on all fours, it is the standard and most natural term.
Examples
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 躝, which is a more colloquial and sometimes derogatory term for crawling that implies a lack of dignity or being forced to crawl.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- 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.
