pin1 zau1扁舟
Jyutpingpin1 zau1
Yalepīn jāu
Definition
A small, narrow boat.
writtentransportnature
How it's used
Literary in nature, this term is rarely used in casual daily conversation to describe modern vessels. It is almost exclusively reserved for poetic descriptions of scenery or historical contexts where a sense of solitude or fragility is intended. Using it to describe a modern ferry or speedboat would sound highly unnatural and overly dramatic.
Measure word
zek3隻jekExamples
They are sightseeing on the lake in a small boat.
Do you see that small boat in the distance?
Related words
Common phrases
a single small boat
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with generic terms for boats like 船, as it specifically implies a very small, narrow, and often fragile vessel. It is not a functional term for maritime transport.
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.
