舊
gau6
The Cantonese word for "old" is 舊 (gau6).
舊 is used for inanimate objects or former relationships, and functions as 'former' or 'ex-' when used to describe a person in a relationship or professional context.
Meaning: of a living being: having lived for relatively many years (adj)
Which one should you use?
The word 舊 (gau6) is used for inanimate objects or former relationships, whereas 老 (lou2) is used to describe a person or animal that has lived for many years.
How do you pronounce it?
gau6
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use 舊 (gau6) to describe an elderly person, but in Cantonese, 舊 is reserved for objects or 'former' status, while 老 (lou2) must be used for age.
Did you know?
- The distinction between 舊 and 老 is so strict that calling a person 舊 could be interpreted as calling them an object or a piece of furniture.
- While 舊 describes old objects, the word for an elderly person, 老, is often used as a term of respect or endearment for masters of a craft or seasoned experts.
- There is a specific phrase using 老 that refers to 'getting old together', which is a common sentiment in traditional Cantonese wedding wishes.
Examples in context
- 抌咗疊舊報紙佢啦。Get rid of that heap of old newspapers.This sentence shows how to use 舊 when describing old newspapers.Tatoeba #557286 by nickyeow, translation #555492 by darinmex
- Tom係我舊拍檔。Tom is my old partner.This sentence demonstrates using 舊 to mean "former" in the context of a partner.Tatoeba #4675989 by kaenif, translation #2276366 by CK
- 我啱啱搵到本舊日記。I just found an old diary.This sentence illustrates the use of 舊 for an old diary.Tatoeba #7032060 by nickyeow, translation #2362173 by CK
- 我婆婆好年邁。My grandmother is very old.
- 我嘅父母親年紀大咗。My parents are getting older.
- 你見過公園個老頭未？Have you seen that old man at the park?
- 20 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chi Keung and Ya Ting are talking about a mutual acquaintance.
- 志強 Chi Keung你識唔識呢個舊朋友？nei5 sik1 m4 sik1 ni1 go3 gau6 pang4 jau5?Do you know this old friend?
- 雅婷 Nga Ting係呀，我哋以前一齊讀書。hai6 aa3, ngo5 dei6 ji5 cin4 jat1 cai4 duk6 syu1.Yes, we used to study together.
- 志強 Chi Keung佢而家仲係唔係住喺度？keoi5 ji4 gaa1 zung6 hai6 m4 hai6 zyu6 hai2 dou3?Does he still live here now?
- 雅婷 Nga Ting唔知喎，好耐冇見過佢。m4 zi1 wo3, hou2 noi6 mou5 gin3 gwo3 keoi5.I don't know, I haven't seen him in a long time.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
