daai6 po2大婆
Jyutpingdaai6 po2
Yaledaaih pó
Definition
The first or principal wife in a polygamous marriage.
colloquialfamilypeople
How it's used
Refers specifically to the primary spouse in a traditional polygamous household, carrying a sense of seniority and legal status that concubines lack. While polygamy is no longer legally recognized in Hong Kong, the term remains in use to describe historical contexts or as a derogatory label in modern infidelity cases. It often implies a position of authority or a sense of entitlement within the family hierarchy.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
It turns out her husband still has a first wife at home.
The first wife and the concubines are always arguing.
Related words
Common phrases
the first wife and the concubines
Common mistake
Do not use this to refer to a wife in a monogamous marriage, as it implies the existence of other wives and can sound insulting or archaic. It is strictly tied to the concept of multiple partners.
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.
