bei2 jyu4比如

Jyutpingbei2 jyu4

Yalebéi yùh

連詞Common

Definition

For example; such as; for instance.

colloquialcommunication

How it's used

While standard in written Chinese, 比如 is also very common in spoken Cantonese to introduce examples. It functions similarly to 譬如 or 譬如話, though the latter two often sound slightly more natural when starting a sentence in casual speech. It is a versatile connector that helps clarify a preceding general statement by providing specific instances.

Examples

nei5你ho2可ji5以gaan2揀di1啲gaan2簡daan1單ge3嘅，bei2比jyu4如ni1呢go3個。

You can pick some simple ones, for instance this one.

keoi5佢hou2好zung1鍾ji3意sik6食seoi2水gwo2果，bei2比jyu4如ping4蘋gwo2果tung4同maai4埋caang2橙。

He likes eating fruit, such as apples and oranges.

Related words

synonympei3 jyu4 waa6譬如話pei yyùh wahsee alsogeoi2 go3 lai6舉個例géui go laih

Common phrases

bei2比jyu4如waa6話

for example

Common mistake

Learners often mistake 比如 for a direct translation of 'for example' and try to use it as a standalone sentence starter like 'For example, I like dogs.' In Cantonese, it is much more natural to use 譬如話 or 舉個例講 when starting a new sentence to introduce an example.