kau5 je4舅爺舅爷
Jyutpingkau5 je4
Yalekáuh yèh
Definition
One's mother's brother; maternal uncle.
colloquialfamilypeople
How it's used
Refers specifically to the biological brother of one's mother. In modern Hong Kong, many people prefer using the more generic term 舅父, which is widely understood and carries a similar level of respect. Using 舅爺 can sometimes sound slightly more traditional or formal depending on the family's background.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
My uncle is coming over for dinner today.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 舅爺 in Mandarin, where it can refer to a husband's brother or a wife's brother. In Cantonese, it strictly refers to the maternal side of the family.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
