geoi1居
Jyutpinggeoi1
Yalegēui
Definition
To live at a place; a residence or home.
- to live, reside, or dwell in a place
- a residence, dwelling, or home
neutralplaces
How it's used
This character is primarily a formal morpheme used in compound words like 居住 or 居所. While it can function as a verb meaning to live, it sounds quite literary or formal in spoken Cantonese compared to the everyday word 住. You will rarely hear it used alone in casual conversation unless you are specifically aiming for a more elevated or written tone.
Examples
Their whole family has lived here for a long time.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with the common verb 住. Remember that 住 is the standard, neutral way to say to live or reside, whereas 居 is restricted to formal contexts or specific compound nouns.
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.
