油漆
jau4 cat1
To paint in Cantonese is 油漆 (jau4 cat1).
The word 油漆 functions as both a verb meaning 'to apply paint to' and a noun meaning 'paint'.
Meaning: to apply paint to (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The term 油漆 is composed of the characters 油, meaning 'oil' and 漆, meaning 'lacquer' or 'paint'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In parts of Guangdong and Guangxi provinces, the term 油畫 is used to mean 'oil painting'.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
jau4 cat1
Did you know?
- In Cantonese, if you want to say a surface is 'painted', you often use the word 髹 (sau1) for the action of applying a coating, which is a more formal or specific term than the common 油漆.
- While 油漆 refers to applying paint, if you want to describe the act of creating a piece of art with a brush, you would use the word 畫, which means 'to draw' or 'to paint'.
- The character 漆 in 油漆 specifically points to 'lacquer', a traditional waterproof coating, rather than modern synthetic paints.
Examples in context
- 我打算買啲油漆嚟整間房。I am going to buy some paint for my room renovation.
- 我想油漆牆壁。ngo5 soeng2 jau4 cat1 coeng4 bik1.I want to paint the walls.
- 佢喺度油漆舊傢俬。keoi5 hai2 dou6 jau4 cat1 gau6 gaa1 si1.He is painting the old furniture.
Example conversation
Ka Ming and Hiu Tung are discussing home renovations.
- 家明 Ka Ming曉彤，我哋油漆呢面牆好唔好？hiu2 tung4, ngo5 dei6 jau4 cat1 ni1 min6 coeng4 hou2 m4 hou2?Hiu Tung, shall we paint this wall?
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung好呀，你想油咩色？hou2 aa3, nei5 soeng2 jau4 me1 sik1?Sure, what color do you want to paint it?
- 家明 Ka Ming我想油漆成淺藍色。ngo5 soeng2 jau4 cat1 sing4 cin2 laam4 sik1.I want to paint it light blue.
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung呢個色好靚，我同意。ni1 go3 sik1 hou2 leng3, ngo5 tung4 ji6.That color is very beautiful, I agree.
