gwai2 zi2鬼子
Jyutpinggwai2 zi2
Yalegwái jí
Definition
A pejorative term for foreigners.
colloquialpeople
How it's used
Historically, this term was used to label foreign invaders or outsiders as subhuman entities. While it is sometimes used casually to refer to foreigners in general, it carries a strong xenophobic or derogatory undertone that can be offensive. It is best avoided in polite conversation as it implies a lack of respect for the people being described.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
That bunch of foreigners is being noisy over there again.
Why are you calling people 'gwai-zi'?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a neutral way to say foreigner, but it is not interchangeable with 外國人. Using it in a professional or formal setting will likely cause significant offense.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
