hyun2 zi2犬子
Jyutpinghyun2 zi2
Yalehyún jí
Definition
My son; a self-deprecating way to refer to one's own son.
writtenfamilypeople
How it's used
Using this term is a way to show humility when referring to one's own son in formal or polite settings. It carries a traditional, slightly old-fashioned tone that is rarely used in casual peer-to-peer conversation. It is strictly reserved for self-reference and should never be used to address someone else's child.
Examples
My son just graduated from university this year.
Where is your son working now?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use this term to refer to other people's children, which is considered extremely rude and arrogant. Always use 仔 or 囝囝 when talking about someone else's son.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
