tou4途
Jyutpingtou4
Yaletòuh
Definition
Way, path, road, or method.
neutraltravelother
How it's used
Functions primarily as a bound morpheme in Cantonese rather than a standalone noun. It appears most frequently in compound words related to travel, career, or methods, such as 前途 or 途徑. When referring to a physical path or road, speakers almost exclusively use 路 instead.
Examples
Do you have any other ways to find him?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often try to use it as a synonym for road in everyday speech, but it sounds overly literary or formal in that context. Always prefer 路 for physical paths and 途徑 or 方法 when discussing abstract ways or means.
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.
