ziu3 liu6照料
Jyutpingziu3 liu6
Yalejiu liuh
Definition
To take care of, attend to, or look after people, animals, or plants.
neutraldaily actionspeople
How it's used
Focuses on the practical, ongoing maintenance of living things, implying a sense of responsibility or duty. While it can be used for people, it is more commonly applied to pets, plants, or elderly relatives who require consistent attention. It carries a slightly more formal or serious tone than the more casual 照顧.
Examples
They have to work lately and don't have time to take care of the cats at home.
Related words
Common phrases
to take great care of
to take care of daily life
Common mistake
Avoid using this for abstract concepts or general help, as it specifically implies a hands-on, routine-based caretaking role. For general help or looking after someone in a social sense, 照顧 is the more natural and versatile choice.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
