粗口
cou1 hau2
In Cantonese, the phrase for "swear word" is 粗口 (cou1 hau2).
粗口 is used to refer to swear words or profanity in general. Other specific examples of Cantonese profanity include 鳩, which is a common cuss word similar to the English "f**k" and 屌, which is a commonly used negative term for male genitalia.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 粗口 is composed of 粗, meaning coarse or vulgar and 口, meaning mouth, literally translating to "coarse mouth".
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the action of swearing or using swear words, you use the verb 講 (to speak or say) before 粗口, forming the phrase 講粗口.
How do you pronounce it?
cou1 hau2
Did you know?
- While 粗口 describes the words themselves, many Cantonese speakers use the term 仆街 (pou1 gaai1) as a versatile swear word that literally translates to 'fall onto the street'. It is used to curse someone's luck or to express general frustration.
- There is a linguistic phenomenon where some 粗口 can be transformed into an expression of admiration or amazement. When used in a very specific tone and context, a vulgar word can signal that something is 'insanely' good.
- Because 粗口 is so taboo in formal settings, Cantonese media often uses 'beeps' or mosaics over these words even in subtitles, replacing the characters with symbols like # or *. This reflects a cultural modesty that extends to written text.
Examples in context
- 唔好喺細路面前講粗口。m4 hou2 hai2 sai3 lou4 min6 cin6 gong2 cou1 hau2.Don't say swear words in front of children.
- 呢啲係粗口。ni1 di1 hai6 cou1 hau2.These are swear words.
Example conversation
A young man and a woman are discussing a coworker's behavior.
- 子健 Tsz Kin嗰個同事好鍾意講粗口。go2 go3 tung4 si6 hou2 zung1 ji3 gong2 cou1 hau2.That colleague likes to say swear words very much.
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung係咩？我完全唔知。hai6 me1? ngo5 jyun4 cyun4 m4 zi1.Is that so? I didn't know at all.
- 子健 Tsz Kin佢成日都咁樣。keoi5 sing4 jat6 dou1 gam2 joeng2.He is always like that.
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung真係好冇禮貌。zan1 hai6 hou2 mou5 lai5 maau6.That is really rude.
