lei5裡里
Jyutpinglei5
Yaleléih
Definition
Inside, within, or the lining of something.
- inside; within
- lining (of clothing)
colloquialclothinghome
How it's used
Refers specifically to the inner layer of a garment or the interior space of a container. When talking about the inside of a place or abstract concept, 裡面 is far more common than just 裡. It is often omitted in casual speech when context makes the location clear.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse 裡 with 裏, which are interchangeable in meaning but 裡 is the standard form used in Hong Kong. Do not use 裡 as a standalone preposition like in Mandarin; always pair it with 邊 or 面 to sound natural.
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.
