waa1 waa1娃娃
Jyutpingwaa1 waa1
Yalewā wā
Definition
A doll or toy figure.
colloquialpeople
How it's used
Refers specifically to a toy shaped like a human, often with a cute or soft appearance. While it can be used for any doll, it is frequently associated with smaller, cuddly versions rather than larger, more realistic ones. It carries a slightly more affectionate or childish tone compared to the more generic term 公仔.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
The little girl loves to hug her doll to sleep.
Did you buy that doll at the toy store?
Related words
Common phrases
play with dolls
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 娃娃魚, which refers to the giant salamander, or 娃娃菜, which is a type of baby cabbage. Using it to describe any stuffed animal can be misleading, as 公仔 is the broader term for all plush toys.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
