daai6 zai2大仔
Jyutpingdaai6 zai2
Yaledaaih jái
Definition
Eldest son, or a child born early in the calendar year who is older than classmates.
- eldest son; first-born son
- technicala child born early in the year (typically January to March)
colloquialfamilyschool
How it's used
Beyond referring to the eldest son, this term is a crucial concept in the Hong Kong education system. Parents often discuss whether their child is a 大仔 or a 細仔 because the age gap within a single school year significantly impacts a child's developmental readiness and academic performance in early childhood.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
His eldest son is in university this year, he is very smart.
Is your eldest son born at the beginning of the year?
Related words
Common phrases
children of different ages
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the literal size of a child. While it implies being older or more mature, it specifically refers to birth order or birth timing relative to the school year cutoff, not physical stature.
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.
