gaa1家
Jyutpinggaa1
Yalegā
Definition
Family; a social unit formed by blood, marriage, or adoption.
colloquialfamilyhome
How it's used
While 家 refers to the abstract concept of family, native speakers almost exclusively use 屋企 to refer to their home or household in daily speech. Using 家 on its own to mean home sounds overly formal or literary. When talking about family members, it is common to attach the suffix 人 to form 屋企人.
Measure word
tau4頭tàuhRelated words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse 家 with 屋企. Use 家 when discussing the concept of family or kinship, but always use 屋企 when referring to your physical residence or the people living there.
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.
