daai6 gaa1大家
Jyutpingdaai6 gaa1
Yaledaaih gā
Definition
A master or authority with deep, extensive knowledge in an academic or artistic field.
neutralpeopledescriptions
How it's used
Refers specifically to someone who has reached the pinnacle of their craft through years of dedication. Unlike the Mandarin usage where it can sometimes be used as a polite address for 'everyone', in Cantonese it is almost exclusively reserved for high-level experts in fields like painting, music, or literature.
Measure word
wai2位wáiExamples
He is a master in the calligraphy world, his writing has great presence.
You really are a musical master, you even know how to play this piece?
Related words
Common phrases
calligraphy master
a master of one's generation
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the common pronoun 大家 meaning 'everyone'. When used as a noun for a master, it is usually preceded by a specific field, such as 藝術大家 or 國學大家, to clarify the 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.
