zyu3蛀
Jyutpingzyu3
Yalejyu
Definition
To be eaten or bored through by insects; to decay.
- to be moth-eaten or bored through by insects
- to decay or develop cavities
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How it's used
Primarily used for teeth decay or damage caused by insects to wood, paper, or fabric. When referring to teeth, it is often paired with 牙 to form 蛀牙. The term carries a sense of gradual, hidden destruction rather than sudden damage.
Examples
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use this for general eating or biting by animals or humans. It specifically implies damage caused by small pests or the slow process of dental decay.
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.
