邪教
ce4 gaau3
The Cantonese word for "cult" is 邪教 (ce4 gaau3).
邪教 is used to refer to a cult or a sect.
Meaning: sect (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of 邪, meaning evil or heterodox and 教, meaning religion or teaching, literally translating to "evil cult/sect".
Which one should you use?
While the English word "cult" can sometimes be used neutrally to describe a small religious group, the Cantonese term 邪教 is inherently pejorative and always implies a harmful or fraudulent organization.
How do you pronounce it?
ce4 gaau3
Did you know?
- In Cantonese pop culture, calling a fan group a 邪教 is a common way to joke about extreme or obsessive fandom.
- In Hong Kong, the word 邪 is also used in the phrase 邪氣, which describes a person with a mischievous or 'wicked' charisma that is sometimes seen as attractive.
- In some contexts, 邪 can refer to 'unlucky' or 'malevolent' spirits in folk religion, not just organized religious groups.
Examples in context
- 呢個係一個邪教。ni1 go3 hai6 jat1 go3 je4 gaau3.This is a cult.
- 佢哋加入咗一個邪教。keoi5 dei6 gaa1 jap6 zo2 jat1 go3 je4 gaau3.They joined a cult.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a news report about a dangerous group.
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan你睇咗關於嗰個邪教嘅新聞未？nei5 tai2 zo2 gwaan1 jyu1 go2 go3 je4 gaau3 ge3 san1 man4 mei6?Have you seen the news about that cult?
- 子健 Tsz Kin未呀，發生咗咩事？mei6 aa3, faat3 sang1 zo2 me1 si6?No, what happened?
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan嗰個邪教做咗好多壞事。go2 go3 je4 gaau3 zou6 zo2 hou2 do1 waai6 si6.That cult did many bad things.
- 子健 Tsz Kin真係好危險。zan1 hai6 hou2 ngai4 him2.It's really dangerous.
