gung1 zoek3公爵
Jyutpinggung1 zoek3
Yalegūng jeuk
Definition
Duke; the highest rank of nobility in ancient China or European systems.
neutralpeople
How it's used
While historically referring to the highest rank in the ancient Chinese nobility system, this term is now almost exclusively used in Hong Kong to translate European titles. It carries a formal, academic, or historical tone rather than being part of everyday colloquial vocabulary. When referring to specific titles, it is always placed after the location or name, such as 劍橋公爵.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
He is a British duke and holds a very high status.
Do you know who the Duke of Cambridge is?
Related words
Grammar color guide
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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.
