jat1 gaai3一介
Jyutpingjat1 gaai3
Yaleyāt gaai
Definition
A single; just one; an insignificant person or thing of a certain kind.
writtenpeople
How it's used
This term carries a humble, slightly literary tone that is rarely used in casual, everyday speech. It is almost exclusively paired with nouns describing a person's status or occupation, such as 書生 or 平民, to emphasize their lack of power or influence. Using it in a standard conversation can sound overly dramatic or like a line from a period drama.
Examples
He is just a scholar, how would he know how to fight?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a general quantifier, but it is strictly restricted to describing people and carries a specific nuance of humility or insignificance that does not translate to other contexts.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
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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.
