gei1畿
Jyutpinggei1
Yalegēi
Definition
The area surrounding a capital city.
writtenplaces
How it's used
This character is a bound morpheme almost exclusively found in the compound 京畿. It refers specifically to the historical or administrative territory surrounding a capital city, rather than just any general area. It is rarely used in modern spoken Cantonese outside of formal, historical, or geographical discussions.
Examples
This place belongs to the capital region.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a common noun that can stand alone, but it cannot function as a standalone word in modern Cantonese. It must be paired with 京 to make sense in any context.
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.
