jat1 gaa1 zi1 zyu2一家之主

Jyutpingjat1 gaa1 zi1 zyu2

Yaleyāt gā jī jyú

名詞Uncommon

Definition

The head of a household; the person with the highest status and greatest responsibility in a family.

neutralfamilypeople

How it's used

This term carries a traditional weight, often implying both the authority to make major decisions and the burden of financial responsibility. While it can be used neutrally, it frequently evokes a sense of duty or the patriarchal structure of older generations. It is rarely used to describe someone who is simply the main earner if they do not also hold the primary decision-making power.

Measure word

go3個go

Examples

keoi5佢baa1爸baa1爸hai6係jat1一gaa1家zi1之zyu2主，uk1屋kei2企daai6大si6事dou1都hai6係keoi5佢waa6話si6事。

His father is the head of the family, he makes all the big decisions at home.

nei5你zou6做zo2咗jat1一gaa1家zi1之zyu2主zi1之hau6後，jiu3要fu6負daam1擔hei2起seng4成tau4頭gaa1家aa4呀。

Once you become the head of the family, you have to take responsibility for the whole household.

Common phrases

zou6做jat1一gaa1家zi1之zyu2主

to be the head of the family

daam1擔dong1當jat1一gaa1家zi1之zyu2主

to take on the role of head of the family

Common mistake

Learners sometimes mistakenly use this to describe any person who happens to work, but it specifically refers to the person who holds the ultimate authority or responsibility for the household's welfare.