but6 zi2脖子
Jyutpingbut6 zi2
Yalebuht jí
Definition
Neck; the part of the body connecting the head and the torso.
colloquialbody
How it's used
Native speakers almost exclusively use 頸 instead of 脖子 in daily life. Using 脖子 sounds like you are reading from a textbook or speaking Mandarin, as it is not part of the natural Cantonese lexicon for body parts.
Measure word
tiu4條tìuhRelated words
Common mistake
Learners often use 脖子 because it appears in dictionaries, but it will sound unnatural to a local. Always use 頸 when referring to the neck in any colloquial context.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
