zek3 zeoi1 dung6 mat6脊椎動物脊椎动物
Jyutpingzek3 zeoi1 dung6 mat6
Yalejek jēui duhng maht
Definition
Vertebrate; an animal with a backbone, typically bilaterally symmetrical and classified into birds, fish, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians.
neutralanimals
How it's used
Scientific terminology like this is often used in academic or formal contexts in Hong Kong, but it remains perfectly understandable in daily conversation. When discussing specific animals, people usually refer to them by their common names rather than their biological classification. It is common to use the classifier 隻 when counting individual animals within this group.
Measure word
zek3隻jekExamples
Humans also belong to vertebrates.
Related words
Common phrases
subphylum Vertebrata
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
