joeng4 gwai2 zi2洋鬼子
Jyutpingjoeng4 gwai2 zi2
Yaleyèuhng gwái jí
Definition
Foreign devil; a derogatory term for a white person or Caucasian.
colloquialpeople
How it's used
Carries a strong derogatory tone that reflects historical xenophobia. While often used interchangeably with 鬼佬, it sounds significantly more dated and aggressive, reminiscent of colonial era insults. Using this term in modern social settings is considered highly offensive and hostile.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
That Caucasian guy is being loud again.
Why are you calling people that? It is very rude.
Related words
Common phrases
damn Caucasian
Common mistake
Do not use this word in professional or polite company, as it is not a neutral descriptor. Learners often underestimate the level of offense it causes compared to the slightly more common 鬼佬.
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.
