jau5 lei6有利
Jyutpingjau5 lei6
Yaleyáuh leih
Definition
Beneficial, advantageous, or favorable; having a positive impact.
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How it's used
Unlike its use in formal written Chinese, this term is often used in spoken Cantonese to describe situations or conditions that provide a strategic edge. It frequently appears in business or competitive contexts where one party gains an advantage over another. It acts as a formal adjective that can sound slightly stiff in casual conversation, so it is often paired with intensifiers like 好 to soften the tone.
Examples
This environment is very conducive to your studying.
Do you think this decision is beneficial?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 有錢, which means wealthy. While both start with 有, 有利 refers to an abstract advantage or benefit, whereas 有錢 refers to the possession of money.
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.
