污糟
wu¹ zou¹
In Cantonese, dirty is 污糟 (wu¹ zou¹). Wiktionary also lists 污糟邋遢 (wu¹ zou¹ laat⁶ taat³).
Meaning: covered with or containing dirt (adj)
Ways to say it
| Cantonese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 污糟 | wu¹ zou¹ |
| 污糟邋遢 | wu¹ zou¹ laat⁶ taat³ |
The word 污糟 is used to describe something that is covered with or contains dirt.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 污糟 is composed of 污 (dirt/stain) and 糟 (spoiled/bad/messy).
Which one should you use?
While 污糟 refers to being physically dirty, the extended form 污糟邋遢 is used to describe a person's overall unhygienic or messy appearance and habits.
How does it change in a sentence?
To use 污糟 as an adjective modifying a noun, you must add the particle 嘅, such as in 污糟嘅衫 (dirty clothes).
How do you pronounce it?
wu¹ zou¹
Did you know?
- In Cantonese, 污糟 is often used as a reaction to something disgusting, similar to saying 'Gross!' or 'Yuck!' in English.
- The character 糟 is also used in the word for 'bran' or 'residue' from making alcohol, which reinforces the idea of something being 'leftover' or 'waste'.
- Cantonese speakers may use 污糟 to describe a 'dirty' trick or an unfair move in a game or competition.
Examples in context
- 我唔想整污糟我隻手。I don't want to get my hands dirty.This sentence shows how to express not wanting to get your hands 污糟.Tatoeba #1393435 by nickyeow, translation #264749 by CK
- 隻手污糟嗰陣千祈唔好捽眼。Never rub your eyes with dirty hands.This sentence warns against rubbing eyes when hands are 污糟.Tatoeba #397021 by nickyeow, translation #25715 by carlosalberto
- 啲屋狗竇咁亂我都頂得順，但係污糟嘅話我就接受唔到。I can put up with a house being untidy, but I don't like it to be dirty.This sentence describes an inability to accept a house being 污糟.Tatoeba #406595 by nickyeow, translation #321833 by papabear
- 你的腳污糟得厲害。Your feet are extremely dirty.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Meiling and Chun Kit are cleaning the kitchen together.
- 美玲 Mei Ling呢塊抹布太污糟，唔可以用。ni1 faai3 maat3 bou3 taai3 wu1 zou1, m4 ho2 ji5 jung6.This cloth is too dirty, it cannot be used.
- 俊傑 Chun Kit真係，快啲掉咗佢啦。zan1 hai6, faai3 di1 diu6 zo2 keoi5 laa1.True, throw it away quickly.
- 美玲 Mei Ling你個枱面都好污糟，快啲抹下。nei5 go3 toi2 min6 dou1 hou2 wu1 zou1, faai3 di1 maat3 haa5.Your tabletop is also very dirty, wipe it quickly.
- 俊傑 Chun Kit好，我而家即刻抹。hou2, ngo5 ji4 gaa1 zik1 hak1 maat3.Okay, I will wipe it right now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dirty” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
