老鼠
lou⁵ syu²
The Cantonese word for rat is 老鼠 (lou⁵ syu²). Wiktionary also lists 大鼠 (daai⁶ syu²).
Meaning: rodent (noun)
Ways to say it
| Cantonese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 老鼠 | lou⁵ syu² |
| 大鼠 | daai⁶ syu² |
The term is used to refer to the rodent known as a rat.
Which one should you use?
大鼠 can be used to specify a large rat.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In certain parts of Guangdong, specifically the Guangzhou area, the term 鼠仔 (syu2 zai2) is used to refer specifically to young rats.
How does it change in a sentence?
When counting rats, you should use the classifier 隻 (zek1) rather than a general number.
How do you pronounce it?
lou⁵ syu²
Did you know?
- In some Cantonese folk traditions, the rat is seen as a symbol of wealth because rats are prolific breeders, and a large number of offspring signifies abundance.
- The term 老鼠 literally translates to 'old mouse'. This reflects a linguistic pattern where 'old' is used as a prefix for many types of animals and creatures in Cantonese.
- The character 鼠 is an ancient pictograph that originally depicted the head and whiskers of a rodent.
Examples in context
- 隻老鼠生定死架？Is the rat alive or dead?This sentence shows how to ask about the state of the 老鼠.Tatoeba #1692334 by kaenif, translation #625907 by rpglover64
- 隻貓追住隻老鼠。The cat caught the rat.This sentence illustrates a cat pursuing the 老鼠.Tatoeba #5221242 by kaenif, translation #12117110 by thesilhouette
- 因為噉樣着，佢上咗馬車，佢嘅教母命令佢，最重要嘅係，唔好留到半夜之後，同時同佢講，如果佢留多一陣，車長就會再次變成南瓜，佢嘅馬老鼠，佢嘅車夫一隻老鼠，佢嘅步兵蜥蜴，而佢嘅衫就會變得好似以前噉。Being thus attired, she got into the carriage, her godmother commanding her, above all things, not to stay till after midnight, and telling her, at the same time, that if she stayed one moment longer, the coach would be a pumpkin again, her horses mice, her coachman a rat, her footmen lizards, and her clothes would become just as they were before.This sentence uses 老鼠 within a complex narrative context.Tatoeba #13498926 by Davidgo5867, translation #6211669 by Hybrid
- 我屋企有好多老鼠。 (ngo5 uk1 kei5 jau5 hou2 do1 lou5 syu2)There are many rats in my house.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A man and a woman are walking through a kitchen at night.
- 雅婷 Nga Ting嗰度有一隻老鼠！go2 dou6 jau5 jat1 zek3 lou5 syu2!There is a rat over there!
- 志強 Chi Keung邊度呀？我睇唔到。bin1 dou6 aa3? ngo5 tai2 m4 dou3.Where? I can't see it.
- 雅婷 Nga Ting喺個櫃底呀。hai2 go3 gwai2 dai2 aa3.Under the cabinet.
- 志強 Chi Keung真係好驚呀。zan1 hai6 hou2 geng1 aa3.I'm really scared.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “rat” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
