zi1 zyu1蜘蛛
Jyutpingzi1 zyu1
Yalejī jyū
Definition
Spider; an eight-legged arthropod that spins webs and is often venomous.
neutralanimals
How it's used
Spiders are technically arachnids rather than insects, a distinction that is sometimes emphasized in casual conversation to correct common misconceptions. People often use this word to describe anything creepy or crawly found in the home, though it specifically refers to the eight legged web spinners.
Measure word
zek3隻jekExamples
There is a really big spider in the corner of the wall.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly group spiders with insects, but referring to a spider as 昆蟲 is biologically incorrect and will likely be pointed out by native speakers.
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.
