saai5 duk6舐犢舐犊
Jyutpingsaai5 duk6
Yalesáaih duhk
Definition
To lick one's calf; a metaphor for deep parental love.
writtenfamilypeople
How it's used
Originating from the idiom 舐犢情深, this term describes the instinctive, deep affection a parent feels for their child. It is a formal, literary expression that is rarely used in casual spoken Cantonese. You will mostly encounter it in written essays, formal speeches, or literary contexts rather than daily conversation.
Examples
The parental love parents have for their children is truly great.
Do you know how parental love is expressed?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use this term to describe love between friends or romantic partners, as it specifically refers to the bond between a parent and their offspring. Using it in a casual setting will sound overly dramatic or archaic.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
