zyu1朱
Jyutpingzyu1
Yalejyū
Definition
Red.
neutralcolours
How it's used
Unlike the common word 紅, which covers the entire spectrum of red, 朱 is restricted to specific compound words denoting a deep, brownish, or cinnabar red. It is rarely used as a standalone adjective in modern spoken Cantonese, appearing almost exclusively in formal or literary terms like 朱古力 or 朱砂.
Examples
Do you like vermilion or bright red?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use 朱 as a general substitute for red in everyday conversation, as it sounds archaic or overly poetic. Stick to 紅 for general color descriptions.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- 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.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
