sei3 goek3 se4四腳蛇四脚蛇
Jyutpingsei3 goek3 se4
Yalesei geuk sèh
Definition
Gecko; lizard.
colloquialanimals
How it's used
Refers specifically to the small, harmless lizards commonly found on walls in Hong Kong homes. While 壁虎 is the formal name used in textbooks or scientific contexts, locals almost exclusively use this term in daily life. It carries a slightly informal or rustic tone compared to the more clinical sounding alternative.
Measure word
zek3隻jekExamples
There is a gecko on the wall.
Are you afraid of geckos?
Related words
Common phrases
to catch a gecko
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with snakes, as the name literally translates to four-legged snake. Despite the name, it is universally understood to be a gecko, not a reptile of the snake family.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
