bek3壁
Jyutpingbek3
Yalebek
Definition
Wall; another word for wall.
neutralhomeplaces
How it's used
While 牆 is the standard everyday word for wall, 壁 is often used in more formal or literary contexts, or as part of compound words. It carries a slightly more architectural or structural nuance compared to the generic 牆. You will frequently encounter it in terms like 牆壁, where it reinforces the concept of a solid partition.
Measure word
dou6道douhRelated words
Common mistake
Learners often try to use 壁 as a standalone noun in casual speech, but native speakers almost exclusively prefer 牆 for everyday walls. Using 壁 on its own can sound slightly stiff or poetic.
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.
