gu1 ji4 zai2孤兒仔孤儿仔
Jyutpinggu1 ji4 zai2
Yalegū yìh jái
Definition
An orphan, typically a young boy or used affectionately.
colloquialpeople
How it's used
Adding 仔 at the end of a noun often carries a sense of endearment or pity in Cantonese. When referring to an orphan, using 孤兒仔 sounds much more personal and sympathetic than the formal term 孤兒. It is common to use this when talking about children who have lost their parents to emphasize their vulnerability.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this term in formal writing or official documents, as the suffix 仔 makes it too informal and potentially patronizing. Stick to 孤兒 for news reports or legal contexts.
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.
