geoi2矩
Jyutpinggeoi2
Yalegéui
Definition
Rule; regulation; law.
neutralother
How it's used
Rarely appears as a standalone character in modern spoken Cantonese, almost exclusively appearing as part of the compound 規矩. It functions as a bound morpheme representing the concept of a standard or fixed pattern. When used in the compound, it carries a strong sense of social etiquette or proper conduct rather than just legal statutes.
Examples
You have to follow the rules when you behave.
What rules do I need to follow here?
Related words
Common phrases
rules and regulations
to follow the rules
unruly or lacking manners
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 矩, which is a geometric term for a carpenter's square, as the character is almost never used in isolation to mean rule in daily speech. Always use the full compound 規矩 to ensure clarity.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
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Grammar guides
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
