蜘蛛
zi¹ zyu¹
The English word spider is translated into Cantonese as 蜘蛛 (zi¹ zyu¹). Wiktionary also lists 蠄蟧 / 蠄𮔚.
Meaning: arthropod (noun)
Ways to say it
| Cantonese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 蜘蛛 | zi¹ zyu¹ |
| 蠄蟧 / 蠄𮔚 |
The term refers to the arthropod known as a spider.
How does it change in a sentence?
When counting spiders, you use the classifier 隻 (zek3) before the noun.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is zi¹ zyu¹.
Did you know?
- In some Cantonese folk beliefs, seeing a spider in the house is not just a random event, but a sign that guests or 'wealth' might be coming soon.
- When referring to the superhero 'Spider-Man', Cantonese uses 蜘蛛俠 (zi1 zyu1 haap6). The final character 俠 refers to a 'knight-errant' or a hero from traditional Chinese martial arts literature.
- In Cantonese, the characters for 'spider' include the radical for 'insect', even though a spider is an arachnid and not an insect.
Examples in context
- 隻蜘蛛黑色嘅。The spider was black.This sentence shows how to use 蜘蛛 when describing the color of a spider.Tatoeba #12108268 by thesilhouette, translation #12078980 by Amastan
- 嗰度有一隻蜘蛛。go2 dou6 jau5 jat1 zek3 zi1 zoo1.There is a spider over there.
- 佢哋見到一隻大蜘蛛。keoi5 dei6 gin3 dou3 jat1 zek3 daai6 zi1 zoo1.They saw a large spider.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
The two are cleaning a storage room.
- 美玲 Mei Ling子健，小心啲，嗰度有一隻蜘蛛。zi2 gin3, siu2 sam1 di1, go2 dou6 jau5 jat1 zek3 zi1 zoo1.Zi Gin, be careful, there is a spider over there.
- 子健 Tsz Kin喺邊度？hai2 bin1 dou6?Where is it?
- 美玲 Mei Ling喺個盒上面。hai2 go3 hap6 soeng6 min6.It is on top of the box.
- 子健 Tsz Kin我睇到喇。ngo5 tai2 dou3 laa3.I see it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “spider” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
