zau2走
Jyutpingzau2
Yalejáu
Definition
To walk.
colloquialdaily actions
How it's used
While 走 exists in written Cantonese, native speakers almost exclusively use 行 in spoken contexts to mean walk. Using 走 in conversation can sound like you are trying to speak Mandarin or are using a more literary register. In some contexts, 走 can also imply leaving or running away, which makes 行 the safer and more natural choice for the physical act of walking.
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using 走 for walking in daily speech, as it often sounds like Mandarin. Stick to 行 to ensure you sound like a local.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
