gwai3 gon3貴幹贵干
Jyutpinggwai3 gon3
Yalegwai gon
Definition
Business, matter, or errand; what brings someone to a place.
colloquialpeoplecommunication
How it's used
This term is a polite, slightly formal way to ask someone about the purpose of their visit or their reason for seeking you out. It carries a tone of mock formality or exaggerated respect, which makes it sound quite sarcastic or playful when used between friends. Using it in a serious, professional context might sound overly stiff or even condescending.
Examples
What business do you have coming to see me today?
I don't have any particular business, I just wanted to chat with you.
Related words
Common phrases
what is your business
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a standard way to ask 'what are you doing', but it is strictly used to inquire about someone's specific purpose or agenda for a visit. It is not used to ask about someone's current activity or general occupation.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
