si2 ngau4使牛
Jyutpingsi2 ngau4
Yalesí ngàuh
Definition
To drive or maneuver an ox or bull for plowing and harrowing land.
colloquialdaily actionsother
How it's used
This term is specific to traditional agricultural practices and is rarely used in modern urban Hong Kong. It describes the physical act of guiding a bull to pull a plough or harrow in a paddy field. It carries a sense of nostalgia for rural life and is often found in stories about older generations.
Examples
Farmers in the past had a hard life, they had to plough with bulls every day.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the common verb 使 meaning to spend money or to use something, as the context for this specific phrase is strictly agricultural.
Grammar color guide
Noun
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Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- 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.
