gung1 zi1工資工资
Jyutpinggung1 zi1
Yalegūng jī
Definition
Wages, salary, or pay received for work.
neutralworkmoney
How it's used
People in Hong Kong overwhelmingly prefer using 糧 or 人工 over 工資 in daily conversation. While 工資 is perfectly understood, it carries a slightly formal or administrative tone, often appearing in contracts or official news reports. Using 人工 makes you sound much more natural when discussing your salary with friends or colleagues.
Measure word
fan2份fánExamples
Their wage is very low, it is simply not enough to live on.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often use 工資 in casual settings where 人工 is the standard choice. Additionally, remember that the measure word for a salary is 份, so you should say 份人工 or 份工資 rather than just using the noun alone.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
