舖頭
pou3 tau4
The Cantonese word for 'store' is 舖頭 (pou3 tau4).
舖頭 is a general term used to refer to a shop or a store.
Meaning: shop (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of 舖 (pou3), meaning a shop or stall and 頭 (tau4), which is a suffix often used to form nouns.
Which one should you use?
While 舖頭 is a general term for a shop, 商店 is a more formal, written-style term for 'store' that is often used in advertisements or formal contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
When counting or specifying a store, use the classifier 間 (gaan1) instead of the general classifier 個 (go3).
How do you pronounce it?
pou3 tau4
Did you know?
- The character 舖 can also mean 'to spread out' or 'to unfold', referring to the way vendors historically laid their goods on a cloth or mat on the ground.
- A traditional 舖頭 in Hong Kong often serves as both a place of business and a residence, with the family living in the quarters above or behind the shop.
- The classifier 間 (gaan1) used for 舖頭 is also the classifier used for rooms, meaning you are essentially counting the 'spaces' where the business exists.
Examples in context
- 呢間舖頭九點閂門。This store is closed at nine.This sentence is useful for stating what time the 舖頭 closes.Tatoeba #410738 by nickyeow, translation #57747 by Lumi
- 我哋間舖頭閂咗門。Our store isn't open.This sentence is useful for saying that the 舖頭 is not open.Tatoeba #5360915 by nickyeow, translation #5315405 by Objectivesea
- 我哋間舖頭好大間。Our store is large.This sentence is useful for describing the size of the 舖頭.Tatoeba #5738651 by nickyeow, translation #3676527 by Jesse
- 我要去青菜鋪買蔬菜。I'm going to the vegetable store to buy some vegetables.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are walking down a street and see a new shop.
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung子健，睇下嗰間新舖頭！zi2 gin6, tai2 haa5 go2 gaan1 san1 pu3 tau4!Zijian, look at that new store!
- 子健 Tsz Kin係喎，嗰間舖頭賣啲咩？hai6 wo3, go2 gaan1 pu3 tau4 maai6 di1 me1?You're right, what does that store sell?
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung似係一間衫舖頭。ci5 hai6 jat1 gaan1 saam1 pu3 tau4.It looks like a clothing store.
- 子健 Tsz Kin噉不如我哋入去睇下？gam2 bat1 jyu4 ngo5 dei6 jap6 heoi3 tai2 haa5?Then why don't we go inside and have a look?
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
