sai2 cou3洗澡
Jyutpingsai2 cou3
Yalesái chou
Definition
To take a shower or a bath; to bathe.
colloquialdaily actionsbody
How it's used
Cantonese speakers almost exclusively use 沖涼 instead of 洗澡 in daily conversation. Using 洗澡 sounds like reading from a textbook or a formal written document. The term 沖涼 literally translates to 'flushing cool', reflecting the historical preference for quick showers to combat the humid climate.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often use 洗澡 in casual settings, which makes them sound like they are speaking Mandarin or reading a formal script. Always stick to 沖涼 for everyday speech.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
