nei5妳
Jyutpingnei5
Yalenéih
Definition
You (second-person singular female pronoun).
colloquialpeople
How it's used
Using 妳 specifically highlights the gender of the person being addressed, which is a distinction not made in spoken Cantonese where 你 is used for everyone. While it is common in written messages or literature to show intimacy or precision, it is rarely pronounced differently from 你 in actual speech. Many native speakers prefer to use 你 universally to avoid the potential awkwardness of assuming or emphasizing gender in casual conversation.
Examples
I really miss you so much.
Are you free to go out tomorrow?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use 妳 when addressing a group or someone whose gender is unknown, as it can sound overly formal or inappropriately specific. Stick to 你 for general use to remain neutral and natural.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
