lai4黎
Jyutpinglai4
Yalelàih
Definition
A Chinese surname, typically transliterated as Lai.
neutralpeople
How it's used
This surname is extremely common in Hong Kong and is frequently confused with 李 due to their similar pronunciation in Cantonese. While they sound distinct to native speakers, learners often struggle to differentiate the two when listening. It is the standard character used for the surname Lai, distinct from the verb 嚟 which means to come.
Examples
Related words
Common mistake
Beginners often confuse this with the verb 嚟, which is written with a mouth radical on the left. Using 黎 when you mean to come is a common orthographic error.
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.
