gaai1 lai6佳麗佳丽
Jyutpinggaai1 lai6
Yalegāai laih
Definition
A beautiful woman, often used to refer to a beauty pageant contestant.
writtenpeopledescriptions
How it's used
Primarily reserved for formal contexts like beauty pageants or literary descriptions, this term sounds quite stiff or old-fashioned in casual conversation. Using it to describe a friend or a random person on the street will sound overly dramatic or sarcastic. It carries a sense of elegance and refined appearance that distinguishes it from the everyday word 靚女.
Measure word
wai6位waihExamples
Every beauty in the pageant is very pretty.
Is that beauty you see the champion this year?
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this to compliment someone directly in person, as it sounds like you are reading from a script or being ironically formal. Stick to 靚女 for natural, everyday compliments.
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.
