kau3 zi3購置购置
Jyutpingkau3 zi3
Yalekau ji
Definition
To purchase something for long-term use.
writtenmoneyshopping
How it's used
Carries a formal tone that implies a deliberate, often significant investment rather than casual shopping. It is frequently used in contexts involving property, equipment, or large assets that are intended to be kept for a long duration. You will rarely hear this in casual conversation about buying groceries or small daily items.
Examples
They recently purchased a lot of new furniture.
When do you plan to purchase a new computer?
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this for everyday shopping like buying snacks or clothes, as it sounds overly serious and unnatural. Use 買 instead for general purchases.
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.



