laai1 gei3拉記拉记
Jyutpinglaai1 gei3
Yalelāai gei
Definition
Library, especially a university library.
colloquialschool
How it's used
Originating from university student slang, this term is a clipped form of the English word library. It is almost exclusively used by students or alumni to refer to their campus library, carrying a casual and slightly weary tone associated with long study sessions. Using it to refer to a public library or a small local book collection would sound unnatural.
Measure word
gaan1間gānExamples
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use this term in formal settings or when speaking to people outside of a university context, as it will likely be misunderstood or sound overly juvenile.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
