aai1 jaa1哎吔
Jyutpingaai1 jaa1
Yaleāai yā
Definition
Not genuine; nominal or in-name-only, usually prefixed to a kinship term.
colloquialfamilypeople
How it's used
Indicates a relationship that is social or honorary rather than biological. It is commonly used to describe close friends of parents or mentors who are addressed by kinship titles out of respect or affection. The term carries a sense of informality and emotional closeness that transcends strict bloodlines.
Examples
He is like an older brother to me, he takes good care of me.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the interjection 哎吔, which is an exclamation of surprise or annoyance. When used as a kinship modifier, it must immediately precede the title, such as 哎吔老豆 or 哎吔家姐.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
