sau3 hau2漱口
Jyutpingsau3 hau2
Yalesau háu
Definition
To rinse one's mouth or gargle with water or other liquids.
colloquialhealthdaily actions
How it's used
While 漱口 is the standard term, many Cantonese speakers prefer the colloquial term 啷口 in daily life. Using 漱口 sounds slightly more formal or clinical, often associated with dental hygiene instructions or medical advice. You will frequently hear it used when discussing oral health routines or post-meal habits.
Examples
Remember to rinse your mouth after eating.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse 漱口 with 飲水, but 漱口 specifically implies spitting the liquid out after swishing it around the mouth. Do not use it if you intend to swallow the liquid.
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.
