siu6 tau4兆頭兆头
Jyutpingsiu6 tau4
Yalesiuh tàuh
Definition
An omen, sign, or augury of future events.
colloquialother
How it's used
Refers specifically to signs or events interpreted as foreshadowing the future, often carrying a superstitious or cultural weight. It is frequently used in contexts involving luck, such as the start of a new year, a business venture, or an unexpected occurrence. While it can be neutral, it is most commonly invoked when someone is looking for a reason to feel optimistic or anxious about an upcoming situation.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
A bird flew into the house this morning, I wonder what kind of omen that is?
The computer broke on the first day of work, what a bad omen.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the mathematical term 兆, which means one trillion in modern Chinese. In everyday conversation, the context will make it clear that you are talking about a sign or omen rather than a number.
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.
