zau1周
Jyutpingzau1
Yalejāu
Definition
A unit of measurement representing one complete cycle, lap, or circuit around something.
neutraldaily actions
How it's used
Primarily functions as a formal measure word for circular paths or complete rotations. In everyday spoken Cantonese, people often prefer using 圈 instead of 周 when describing laps around a track or a park. Using 周 sounds slightly more literary or precise, often appearing in contexts like sports reporting or formal descriptions of movement.
Examples
Can you walk one full lap around the park?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse 周 with the adverb meaning 'everywhere' or 'all around', such as in 周圍. As a measure word, it specifically denotes a completed cycle or a full circle, whereas 周圍 refers to the surrounding area.
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.
