bei2彼
Jyutpingbei2
Yalebéi
Definition
That; those; the other; another.
- that; those; the other
- another; other people
writtendescriptions
How it's used
Literary and formal in nature, this character is rarely used in everyday spoken Cantonese. Most speakers prefer using 嗰 or 嗰邊 when referring to distant objects or locations. It is primarily encountered in written texts, classical literature, or formal speeches.
Examples
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use this in casual conversation because it appears in dictionaries, but it sounds unnatural and overly academic to native speakers. Stick to 嗰 for everyday communication.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
