gok3 zai2閣仔阁仔
Jyutpinggok3 zai2
Yalegok jái
Definition
Loft; an open indoor space close to the ceiling, usually accessed by a ladder or narrow staircase.
colloquialhomeplaces
How it's used
Refers specifically to a small, elevated storage or sleeping area tucked under the ceiling of a room. It implies a space that is not a full-height floor, often found in older walk-up buildings or village houses with high ceilings. The term carries a cozy, slightly cramped connotation rather than a modern architectural loft.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
Her room has a loft, which is very convenient for storing miscellaneous items.
Do you need help moving the books up to the loft?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with a standard mezzanine or a full second floor, as it specifically implies a smaller, secondary space that is often difficult to stand upright in.
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.
