jyun4 zik6原籍
Jyutpingjyun4 zik6
Yaleyùhn jihk
Definition
One's ancestral home; the native place of one's paternal ancestors.
neutralpeoplefamily
How it's used
This term is almost exclusively used when filling out official forms or discussing family lineage and genealogy. It refers specifically to the place where one's paternal ancestors were registered, which may be different from where one was born or raised. It is a formal concept that rarely appears in casual, everyday conversation unless someone is specifically asking about family roots.
Examples
Where is your ancestral hometown?
His ancestral home is in Guangdong, but he was born in Hong Kong.
Related words
Common phrases
ancestral home in Guangdong
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 鄉下, which is a much more casual term that can refer to the place where one's family currently lives or where one spent their childhood summers. Using 原籍 in a casual chat about where you grew up can sound overly stiff or bureaucratic.
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.
