fui1魁
Jyutpingfui1
Yalefūi
Definition
Leader; chief; head.
writtenpeople
How it's used
Primarily found in formal or literary contexts, this character is rarely used in everyday spoken Cantonese to mean a leader. It is almost exclusively encountered as part of compound nouns such as 黨魁 or 魁首. When referring to a boss or leader in casual conversation, native speakers prefer terms like 老闆 or 阿頭.
Examples
He is the leader of that organization.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a common noun, but it functions more like a formal suffix or prefix. Using it in casual conversation to describe a manager or team leader will sound unnatural and overly dramatic.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- 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.
