waa1污
Jyutpingwaa1
Yalewā
Definition
Dirty, filthy, or unclean; to pollute or smear.
colloquialdescriptions
How it's used
While 污 can function as a morpheme in compound words like 污染, it is rarely used as a standalone adjective in spoken Cantonese. Instead, native speakers almost exclusively use the disyllabic form 污糟 to describe something that is dirty or messy. Using 污 alone as an adjective can sound unnatural or overly literary.
Examples
Your hands are so dirty, go wash them quickly.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often try to use 污 as a direct equivalent to the English word dirty, but it is effectively a bound morpheme in this context. Always use 污糟 to ensure your speech sounds natural.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
