san1 waai4 luk6 gaap3身懷六甲身怀六甲
Jyutpingsan1 waai4 luk6 gaap3
Yalesān wàaih luhk gaap
Definition
To be pregnant.
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How it's used
Carries a formal and slightly literary tone that contrasts with the everyday term 有咗. It is often used in more polite or respectful contexts when announcing a pregnancy or discussing a woman's condition. While it sounds elegant, using it in casual conversation with close friends can sometimes sound overly dramatic or ironic.
Examples
She is pregnant, so don't ask her to do heavy work these days.
I heard you are pregnant, when is your due date?
Related words
Common phrases
a pregnant lady
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe animals, as it is strictly reserved for human pregnancy. It also implies a state of being rather than the act of becoming pregnant, so it does not fit well with verbs indicating the start of a pregnancy.
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.
