zoek3灼
Jyutpingzoek3
Yalejeuk
Definition
To burn or scald a body part through contact with a hot object.
colloquialbodyhealth
How it's used
Focuses specifically on the sensation of heat causing damage to skin or body parts. It is frequently used in the passive or resultative form with 親 to indicate an accidental burn. Unlike general words for burning, it implies direct contact with a hot surface or liquid rather than exposure to open flames.
Examples
Be careful, the tea is very hot, don't burn your hand.
Why is your wrist burnt until it's all red?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 燒, which is used for burning objects or cooking with fire. Using 灼 for cooking food is also common in Cantonese, such as 灼菜, but that refers to blanching in boiling water rather than causing injury.
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.
