geng3 zi2鏡子镜子
Jyutpinggeng3 zi2
Yalegeng jí
Definition
Mirror.
colloquialhomedaily actions
How it's used
Cantonese speakers almost exclusively use the single character 鏡 instead of the two character 鏡子. The latter sounds like a direct translation from Mandarin and will sound unnatural in daily conversation. Always remember to use the classifier 面 when counting mirrors.
Measure word
min6面minhRelated words
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use the Mandarin term 鏡子, which is rarely used in spoken Cantonese. Using the full term makes your speech sound like a textbook rather than a native speaker.
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.
