gwai1 neoi5閨女闺女
Jyutpinggwai1 neoi5
Yalegwāi néuih
Definition
An unmarried woman or daughter.
colloquialpeople
How it's used
This term carries a distinctly old-fashioned or literary tone, often evoking a sense of traditional values or innocence. It is rarely used in casual, modern conversation to describe a woman unless one is specifically emphasizing her purity or lack of sexual experience. Using it in a professional or casual setting can sound overly dramatic or archaic.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
She is still a virgin.
Do you think she is still a virgin?
Related words
Common phrases
pure virgin
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a standard, neutral term for a young woman, but it is highly specific to the concept of virginity. Using it to simply mean a young girl or daughter will sound unnatural or potentially offensive.
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.
