gwaai1 zai2乖仔
Jyutpinggwaai1 zai2
Yalegwāai jái
Definition
Good, obedient, or well-behaved boy.
colloquialpeoplefamily
How it's used
Refers specifically to a boy who is obedient, filial, or generally pleasant to be around. While it can be used for children, adults often use it to praise a younger man for being responsible or respectful towards his elders. It carries a warm, affectionate tone that implies the speaker holds the person in high regard.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
Were you a well-behaved boy when you were little?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe a girl, as it is gendered; use 乖女 instead. Also, avoid using it to describe a man in a professional setting, as it can sound patronizing or like you are treating him as a child.
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.
