How to Say "Tiger" in Cantonese

老虎

lou⁵ fu²

The Cantonese word for tiger is 老虎 (lou⁵ fu²).

The word refers to the mammal Panthera tigris.

Meaning: The mammal Panthera tigris (noun)

Which one should you use?

虎 is used in more formal contexts. 虎仔 is an affectionate way to refer to a tiger, similar to 'tiger cub'.

lou⁵ fu²

In Cantonese, 老虎 literally translates to 'old tiger'. This use of 'old' is not about age but is a common linguistic pattern used to create a familiar or stable name for certain animals.
In Cantonese culture, the tiger is one of the few animals that can be used as a protective symbol for children. Amulets with 虎 are often given to infants to ward off evil spirits.
The word 虎 is used in the Cantonese expression 虎視眈眈, describing someone watching their prey with an intense and greedy gaze, often used to describe business rivals.

我昨日睇咗一部有關虎嘅紀錄片，好正架喎！
I watched a documentary about tigers yesterday, it was awesome!
有一隻老虎。
jau5 jat1 zek3 lou5 fu2.
There is a tiger.
老虎好強壯。
lou5 fu2 hou2 koeng4 zong3.
Tigers are very strong.
我睇過老虎。
ngo5 tai2 gwo3 lou5 fu2.
I have seen a tiger.

Jun Kit and Ka Yan are visiting the zoo.

俊傑 Chun Kit

嘉欣，你看嗰隻老虎！
ga1 jan1, nei5 tai3 go2 zek3 lou5 fu2!
Ka Yan, look at that tiger!
嘉欣 Ka Yan

哇，佢真係好大隻。
waa1, keoi5 zan1 hai6 hou2 daai6 zek3.
Wow, it is really huge.
俊傑 Chun Kit

老虎係森林之王。
lou5 fu2 hai6 sam1 lam4 zi1 wong4.
The tiger is the king of the jungle.
嘉欣 Ka Yan

我覺得佢好威風。
ngo5 gok3 dak1 keoi5 hou2 wai1 fung1.
I think it looks very majestic.

Sources

⭐Share⭐ to appreciate human effort 🙏