soeng5 kaa1 laa4上卡啦
Jyutpingsoeng5 kaa1 laa4
Yaleséuhng kā làh
Definition
To color in; to add color to a drawing or object.
colloquialdaily actionsdescriptions
How it's used
This term is a specific colloquialism derived from the English word colour, often used in casual settings like art classes or when doing crafts with children. It functions as a verb phrase where the final particle 啦 adds a sense of completion or a suggestion to perform the action. It is distinct from the more standard 填色 which is used in formal or academic contexts.
Examples
This drawing hasn't been coloured in yet, please help me finish it.
Be careful when you are colouring in, don't draw outside the lines.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a standard Cantonese verb, but it is highly informal and specific to the act of applying pigment or colour to a pre-existing outline. Avoid using it in professional design contexts or formal writing where 填色 is the expected term.
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.
