aa3 suk1阿叔
Jyutpingaa3 suk1
Yalea sūk
Definition
One's father's younger brother, or a casual form of address for a middle-aged man.
- one's father's younger brother; uncle
- a casual form of address to a middle-aged man
colloquialfamilypeople
How it's used
Beyond referring to a father's younger brother, this term is frequently used as a generic, polite way to address a middle-aged man whose name you do not know. It carries a slightly warmer and more respectful tone than just calling someone a stranger. It is especially common in local markets or small shops when interacting with older staff.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
My uncle is coming over for dinner next week.
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this term for someone who is clearly elderly, as it specifically targets the middle-aged demographic. For someone significantly older, use 阿伯 instead to avoid sounding dismissive or inaccurate.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
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Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
