gei1機机
Jyutpinggei1
Yalegēi
Definition
Machines and electronic devices in general, such as computers and phones.
colloquialtechnology
How it's used
This term functions as a versatile suffix for almost any electronic device, making it a highly productive morpheme in daily life. While it refers to the hardware itself, it is frequently paired with verbs like 開 or 熄 to describe operating the device. It is almost exclusively used with the classifier 部 when referring to specific physical units.
Measure word
bou6部bouhExamples
Related words
Common phrases
to play video games
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with the Mandarin usage where it might refer to an airplane or a specific engine, whereas in Cantonese it is a generic catch-all for consumer electronics like phones, computers, or gaming consoles.
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.
