gwai3 zi1 zai2桂枝仔
Jyutpinggwai3 zi1 zai2
Yalegwai jī jái
Definition
A colloquial term for a Hong Konger.
colloquialpeople
How it's used
This term is a playful, slightly old-fashioned way to refer to a local Hong Kong person. It carries a sense of local identity and camaraderie, often used to emphasize someone's roots or shared cultural habits. It is less common among the younger generation today, who might prefer more neutral descriptors.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
He is a local born and bred Hong Konger.
Have you ever met a Hong Konger who has never been to a cha chaan teng?
Related words
Common phrases
a local born and bred Hong Konger
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the medicinal herb 桂枝, which is used in traditional Chinese medicine. The suffix 仔 is essential to indicate the person, as the base term alone refers to a plant twig.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
