din6 zai3電掣电掣
Jyutpingdin6 zai3
Yaledihn jai
Definition
An electrical switch.
colloquialhometechnology
How it's used
Refers specifically to wall switches for lights or appliances rather than electronic buttons on a device. It is often used interchangeably with 掣, though adding 電 makes it clear you are talking about an electrical switch. It is the standard term used in households across Hong Kong.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
Could you help me press the switch to turn on the light?
The switch is broken, I cannot turn on the air conditioner.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 掣, which can refer to any button or control knob on a machine. Using 電掣 for a button on a remote control or a keyboard sounds unnatural.
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.
