wu4 sou1鬍鬚胡须
Jyutpingwu4 sou1
Yalewùh sōu
Definition
A collective term for male facial hair, such as a beard, mustache, or whiskers.
colloquialbodydescriptions
How it's used
Refers to facial hair in general, but specifically distinguishes between locations using different measure words. Use 撇 for a moustache above the lip, while 條 or 執 is more common for a goatee or scattered chin hair. It is often used in the phrase 留鬍鬚 to describe the act of growing it out.
Measure word
tiu4條tìuhExamples
He has been growing a beard for a long time and looks very mature.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse 鬍鬚 with 鬚根, which specifically refers to the stubble or the roots left behind immediately after shaving. Using 鬍鬚 to describe the five o'clock shadow can sound slightly unnatural.
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.
