兔仔
tou3 zai2
The Cantonese word for "bunny" is 兔仔 (tou3 zai2).
兔仔 refers specifically to a young rabbit or a smaller, more endearing version of the animal.
Meaning: young rabbit (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of 兔 (rabbit) and 仔 (small/child/offspring), literally meaning "little rabbit".
Which one should you use?
While 兔 refers to the rabbit species in general, 兔仔 specifically implies a younger or more endearing version of the animal.
How does it change in a sentence?
The suffix 仔 (zai2) is used here to create a diminutive form, which makes the word sound more affectionate or indicates that it is a young animal.
How do you pronounce it?
tou3 zai2
Did you know?
- In Cantonese culture, the rabbit is associated with the Moon and the legendary Moon Goddess, Chang'e, rather than the 'Easter Bunny' tradition found in English.
- Unlike English where 'bunny' is almost always affectionate, adding 仔 to certain nouns in Cantonese can sometimes create a word for a 'small-time' criminal or a low-level worker.
- The character 兔 in 'bunny' is a pictograph that historically depicted the silhouette of a rabbit with long ears.
Examples in context
- 嗰隻兔仔好得意。go2 zek3 tou3 zai2 hou2 dak1 ji6.That bunny is very cute.
- 我想養一隻兔仔。ngo5 soeng2 joeng5 jat1 zek3 tou3 zai2.I want to raise a bunny.
Example conversation
Zhiqiang and Yating are at a pet shop.
- 志強 Chi Keung你睇下呢隻兔仔！nei5 tai2 haa5 ni1 zek3 tou3 zai2!Look at this bunny!
- 雅婷 Nga Ting佢真係好細隻。keoi5 zan1 hai6 hou2 sai3 zek3.It is really small.
- 志強 Chi Keung我想帶佢返屋企。ngo5 soeng2 daai3 keoi5 faan1 uk1 kei2.I want to take it home.
- 雅婷 Nga Ting好啊，快啲買啦。hou2 aa3, faai3 di1 maai5 laa1.Okay, hurry up and buy it.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
