hai6系
Jyutpinghai6
Yalehaih
Definition
System; series; a suffix used to name a system or department.
neutralother
How it's used
Functions primarily as a suffix to denote a structured system or a scientific category. It is almost exclusively found in compound words borrowed from academic or technical terminology. Unlike the verb 係, which is the copula meaning to be, this character is strictly a bound morpheme used in formal or scientific contexts.
Examples
This solar system is very big.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with the common copula 係. Remember that this character is only used as part of a noun phrase representing a system, whereas 係 is used to link a subject and a predicate.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- 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.
