sik1 jik6蜥蜴

Jyutpingsik1 jik6

Yalesīk yihk

名詞Uncommon

Definition

Lizard; a general term for many types of scaled reptiles, such as geckos and chameleons.

neutralanimals

How it's used

While 蜥蜴 is the standard biological term for lizards, locals often use more specific names depending on the context. Small house geckos are almost exclusively referred to as 檐蛇, and the term 蜥蜴 is usually reserved for larger or more exotic species seen in pet shops or nature. Using 蜥蜴 for a common house gecko can sound slightly formal or detached from daily life.

Measure word

zek3隻jek

Examples

coeng4牆soeng6上min6面jau5有zek3隻sik1蜥jik6蜴paa4爬gan2緊aa4呀。

There is a lizard crawling on the wall.

nei5你geng1驚m4唔geng1驚sik1蜥jik6蜴㗎？

Are you afraid of lizards?

Common phrases

paa4爬hang4行dung6動mat6物

reptile

Common mistake

Do not confuse 蜥蜴 with 蛇, as they are distinct animals in Cantonese. While some people might loosely group them due to their appearance, calling a lizard a 蛇 is factually incorrect and will confuse listeners.