joeng5 zi2養子养子
Jyutpingjoeng5 zi2
Yaleyéuhng jí
Definition
Adopted son.
neutralfamilypeople
How it's used
Refers specifically to a son who is legally or informally adopted into a family. While the term is standard, Cantonese speakers often prefer describing the situation with phrases like 收養咗個仔 to sound less formal or clinical in casual conversation.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
The couple adopted a son.
The adopted son is very filial to them.
Related words
Common phrases
to adopt an adopted son
Common mistake
Avoid using this term to describe a stepson, which is usually referred to as 繼子. Confusing the two can lead to significant misunderstandings regarding family structure.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- 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.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.



