gwan1 zyu2君主

Jyutpinggwan1 zyu2

Yalegwān jyú

名詞Uncommon

Definition

Monarch; sovereign; the head of state, usually hereditary.

neutralpeople

How it's used

Refers specifically to a head of state in a monarchy, carrying a formal and historical weight that makes it sound quite academic or literary in daily speech. While accurate, it is rarely used in casual conversation to describe modern political figures, where terms like 國王 or 女王 are preferred for specific titles. It implies a traditional, often absolute, authority rather than a modern ceremonial role.

Measure word

wai6位waih

Examples

gu2古doi6代ge3嘅gwan1君zyu2主tung1通soeng4常dou1都hai6係sai3世zaap6襲㗎。

Ancient monarchs were usually hereditary.

nei5你gok3覺dak1得jin6現doi6代zung6仲jau5有bin1邊di1啲gwok3國gaa1家jau5有gwan1君zyu2主aa4呀？

Which countries do you think still have a monarch nowadays?

Common phrases

gwan1君zyu2主laap6立hin3憲

constitutional monarchy

gwan1君zyu2主zai3制

monarchy system

Common mistake

Avoid using this to refer to elected heads of state or modern politicians, as it specifically denotes a position of hereditary or absolute rule. Using it for a president or prime minister sounds confusing or historically inaccurate.