gei1 zai3機制机制
Jyutpinggei1 zai3
Yalegēi jai
Definition
Mechanism; the way a system, plan, or phenomenon operates and changes.
neutralworkother
How it's used
Often used in formal or professional settings to describe the underlying rules or procedures of a system. It implies a structured, often bureaucratic, way of achieving a result rather than a simple process. While it sounds technical, it is frequently heard in news reports and workplace discussions regarding policy changes.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
The company has a new mechanism for handling complaints.
Do you know how this mechanism works?
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using it to describe simple physical tools or household appliances, as it specifically refers to abstract systems or organizational processes. For physical parts of a machine, use 零件 instead.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
