腳眼
goek3 ngaan5
The English word ankle is 腳眼 (goek3 ngaan5) in Cantonese.
The term refers to the joint between the foot and the leg.
Meaning: joint between foot and leg (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
腳眼 is a compound of 腳 (goek3), meaning foot and 眼 (ngaan5), meaning eye.
Which one should you use?
骱骨 and 足踝 are more formal terms used to describe the same body part.
How do you pronounce it?
goek3 ngaan5
Did you know?
- In Cantonese, the word 眼 (ngaan5), meaning 'eye', is often used metaphorically to describe small holes, openings, or even specific points of connection in objects or body parts.
- Cantonese speakers often use the word 腳 to refer to the entire lower limb from the hip down, whereas English strictly distinguishes between 'leg' and 'foot'.
- The character 腳 for 'foot' is also used in Cantonese to describe the 'legs' of furniture, such as a table or a chair.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a sports injury.
- 子健 Tsz Kin子健，你隻腳點樣呀？zi2 gin6, nei5 zek3 goek3 dim2 joeng2 aa3?Zijian, how is your leg?
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung我隻腳眼仲係好痛。ngo5 zek3 goek3 ngaan5 zung6 hai6 hou2 tung3.My ankle is still very painful.
- 子健 Tsz Kin你有冇搽藥？nei5 jau5 mou5 caa4 joek3?Did you apply any medicine?
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung有，我啱啱搽完。jau5, ngo5 ngaam1 ngaam1 caa4 jyun4.Yes, I just finished applying it.
