wo4 zoek3禾雀

Jyutpingwo4 zoek3

Yalewòh jeuk

Definition

Java sparrow, or more broadly, paddybirds and sparrows.

colloquialanimals

How it's used

Refers specifically to the Eurasian tree sparrow, which is the most common bird found in urban Hong Kong. While 麻雀 is the standard term used by most people in daily life, 禾雀 is a more traditional or literary name that highlights the bird's historical reputation for feeding on rice crops.

Measure word

zek3隻jek

Examples

go2嗰dou6度jau5有gei2幾zek3隻wo4禾zoek3雀hai2喺dou6度sik6食gan2緊mai5米。

There are a few sparrows over there eating rice.

nei5你gin3見m4唔gin3見dou3到syu6樹soeng6上min6面jau5有wo4禾zoek3雀aa4呀？

Do you see any sparrows up in the tree?

Related words

synonymmaa4 zoek3麻雀màh jeuk

Common phrases

wo4禾zoek3雀lyun6亂fei1飛

sparrows flying in chaos

Common mistake

Many learners confuse this with the term for the mahjong tile set, which is also called 禾雀. Ensure context is clear so listeners do not think you are talking about a game when you are actually referring to the bird.