gwat1 zi2骨子
Jyutpinggwat1 zi2
Yalegwāt jí
Definition
Tidy, neat, and elegant, especially when describing a room or house.
colloquialhomedescriptions
How it's used
Focuses on the aesthetic balance of a space, implying that it is not just clean but also well-organized and tasteful. It is almost exclusively used to describe interior design or the state of a room rather than a person's character or clothing. Using it to describe a person can sound outdated or confusing to native speakers.
Examples
Your room is tidied up quite elegantly, it's very comfortable.
Their home is decorated quite elegantly, it looks very high-end.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the Mandarin usage of 骨子, which often refers to one's inner nature or character. In Cantonese, it is strictly reserved for describing the physical appearance and arrangement of a room or house.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
