gaak3 lei4隔離隔离
Jyutpinggaak3 lei4
Yalegaak lèih
Definition
To isolate, segregate, or quarantine.
colloquialhealthpeople
How it's used
While 隔離 is used for medical or social isolation, it is also the standard way to say "next to" or "beside" in spoken Cantonese. Context is essential to distinguish between the verb meaning to isolate and the prepositional meaning of being adjacent to something. When used as a preposition, it is often followed by a location or person.
Examples
He has a fever and needs to isolate for seven days.
Why do they need to be isolated?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse the verb 隔離 with the homophonous preposition 隔離 meaning next door. If you say 我隔離有人, it means "there is someone next to me," not "someone is isolating me."
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.
