dong1 gaa1當家当家
Jyutpingdong1 gaa1
Yaledōng gā
Definition
To manage household affairs and hold the primary decision-making power in a family.
neutralfamilyhome
How it's used
Focuses on the responsibility and authority of managing a household or a group. It often implies a sense of maturity and the burden of decision making rather than just holding a title. While it can apply to managing a family, it is frequently used metaphorically to describe someone taking ownership of their own life or responsibilities.
Examples
They are in charge of the household now, so they make all the decisions for big and small matters.
Related words
Common phrases
to be the master of one's own affairs
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the Mandarin term 當家作主, which is often used in political or formal contexts. In Cantonese, the term is more grounded in domestic or personal responsibility and sounds slightly old fashioned or formal if used in casual daily conversation.
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.
