jat1 go3 zi6一個字一个字
Jyutpingjat1 go3 zi6
Yaleyāt go jih
Definition
One character, or five minutes.
- one character
- five minutes
colloquialcommunication
How it's used
Refers specifically to a single Chinese character, often used when discussing names or brevity in writing. It is frequently used in the phrase 寫一個字 to mean writing a quick note or a single character. When people say 遲一個字, they are using it as a time reference meaning five minutes, as each character on a clock face represents five minutes.
Examples
This name is very simple, it only has one character.
Related words
Common phrases
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the English word word, which is usually translated as 詞 or 詞語. Using 一個字 to mean a single English word is technically incorrect, though some speakers might use it loosely in casual conversation.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
