teoi3 hok3蛻殼蜕壳
Jyutpingteoi3 hok3
Yaleteui hok
Definition
To shed a shell; to molt.
neutralanimalsnature
How it's used
Refers specifically to the biological process where an animal sheds its outer layer to grow. While it is a formal scientific term, it is used in casual conversation when discussing nature or keeping insects as pets. It is distinct from the more general term 甩皮 which usually refers to human skin peeling due to sunburn or dryness.
Examples
Have you ever seen an insect molt?
Related words
Common phrases
cicada molting
Common mistake
Do not use this word to describe humans losing skin or shedding clothes, as it is strictly reserved for the biological molting process of animals like insects, snakes, or crustaceans.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
