gaa1 si6家事
Jyutpinggaa1 si6
Yalegā sih
Definition
Family matters or domestic affairs, often implying they are none of outsiders' business.
colloquialfamilypeople
How it's used
Carries a strong defensive tone when used to shut down prying questions from outsiders. It implies a boundary between the private family sphere and the public world. Unlike the more neutral term 屋企事, using this word often signals that the speaker feels their privacy is being invaded.
Examples
These are our family matters, don't you worry about it so much.
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe simple household chores like washing dishes or cleaning, as it refers specifically to interpersonal family dynamics or private issues rather than domestic tasks.
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.
