zi6 mou5字母
Jyutpingzi6 mou5
Yalejih móuh
Definition
A letter of an alphabet, particularly a Latin-based one.
neutralschoolcommunication
How it's used
Refers specifically to characters in alphabetic systems like the Latin alphabet, rather than Chinese characters. When referring to Chinese characters, use 字 instead. It is common to prefix it with the language name, such as 英文字母 or 希臘字母, to clarify which alphabet is being discussed.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
Do you know how to write this English letter?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use this word for Chinese characters, as learners often mistakenly call them 字母. Use 字 or 漢字 for Chinese characters instead.
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.
