zou1遭
Jyutpingzou1
Yalejōu
Definition
To suffer, meet with, or be subjected to a disaster or misfortune.
writtenother
How it's used
Focuses specifically on negative or unfortunate experiences, making it much more restrictive than the general passive marker 俾. It carries a formal or literary weight that feels out of place in casual, everyday speech unless used for dramatic effect or in news reports. When describing common daily mishaps, speakers almost always prefer 俾 or 被 instead.
Examples
He was framed by someone this time, it is so miserable.
Why were you given the cold shoulder by others?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use 遭 as a direct synonym for 俾 in all passive constructions, but 遭 requires the following verb to represent a negative or harmful event. Using it for neutral or positive passive actions will sound unnatural or confusing.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- 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.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
