wun5 hung4浣熊
Jyutpingwun5 hung4
Yalewúhn hùhng
Definition
Raccoon; a small mammal with a long striped tail, native to North America, known for its habit of washing its food in water.
neutralanimals
How it's used
The name originates from the animal's habit of dipping its food in water, which looks like it is washing its meal. Despite the name containing the character for bear, it is biologically distinct from the Ursidae family. It is a common subject in children's stories and popular culture in Hong Kong.
Measure word
zek3隻jekExamples
The raccoon at the zoo is so cute.
Do you know why raccoons forage by the water?
Related words
Common phrases
raccoon eyes (dark circles under the eyes)
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly assume it is a type of bear because of the name, but it is actually a procyonid. Do not confuse it with the red panda, which is sometimes colloquially referred to with similar descriptors.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
