cai1 nou4妻孥
Jyutpingcai1 nou4
Yalechāi nòuh
Definition
Wife and children.
writtenfamilypeople
How it's used
This term is formal and literary, often carrying a slightly old fashioned or dramatic tone. It is rarely used in casual, everyday speech, where people would simply say 老婆仔女. Using it in conversation can sound like you are quoting a classical text or trying to sound overly serious.
Examples
He works very hard every day to support his wife and children.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a common term, but it is actually quite formal and can sound stiff or pretentious if used in a lighthearted context. It is best reserved for written contexts or serious discussions about family responsibilities.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
