kwai4隗
Jyutpingkwai4
Yalekwàih
Definition
A Chinese surname.
neutralpeople
How it's used
This surname is extremely rare in Hong Kong and is often mispronounced by native speakers who are unfamiliar with the character. It is typically read as ngai5 in Cantonese, though some may mistake it for other characters with similar components. Because it is so uncommon, people with this surname often have to spell it out or clarify the character when introducing themselves.
Examples
Mr. Ngai did not go to work today.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this character with 魁 or 傀 due to their visual similarity. Always double check the radical, as 隗 uses the ghost radical 鬼.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
