褸
lau2
In Cantonese, jacket is 褸 (lau2).
The word 褸 refers to a piece of clothing worn on the upper body outside a shirt or blouse. It can be used to describe specific types of jackets by adding a descriptor before the word, such as 皮褸 for a leather jacket or 軍褸 for an army jacket.
Meaning: piece of clothing worn on the upper body outside a shirt or blouse (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
When counting or specifying a jacket, you should use the classifier 件 (gin6).
How do you pronounce it?
lau2
Did you know?
- The word 褸 can sometimes be used metaphorically in slang to describe someone who is acting 'shabby' or lacking class in their behavior.
- The character 褸 is composed of the 'clothing' radical 衣 and a phonetic component that also appears in the word for 'rags' or 'tattered clothes'.
- The classifier 件 (gin6) used for a jacket is also used for many other items like 'problems' or 'matters', making it one of the most versatile counters in the language.
Examples in context
Example conversation
A person is helping their friend prepare for a walk in the chilly evening.
- 雅婷 Nga Ting外面好凍，記得着件褸。ngoi6 min6 hou2 dang3, gei3 dak1 zoek3 gin6 lau4.It is cold outside, remember to wear a jacket.
- 家明 Ka Ming好呀，我拎件褸出嚟。hou2 aa3, ngo5 ling1 gin6 lau4 ceot1 lai4.Okay, I will get a jacket out.
- 雅婷 Nga Ting家明，你要帶定件褸呀。gaa1 ming4, nei5 jiu3 daai3 ding6 gin6 lau4 aa3.Ka Ming, you should bring a jacket just in case.
- 家明 Ka Ming唔緊要，我已經着咗喇。m4 gan2 jiu3, ngo5 ji5 ging1 zoek3 zo2 laa3.No problem, I am already wearing one.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
