leoi4閭闾
Jyutpingleoi4
Yalelèuih
Definition
A village gate or alley gate; a village of 25 families; one's hometown.
- literarygate of a village or alley; a door
- literarya village of 25 families; a community; hometown
writtenplaces
How it's used
This character is almost exclusively encountered in literary or historical contexts rather than daily speech. It carries a strong sense of nostalgia or traditional village life, often appearing in formal writing or classical poetry to evoke a sense of home or origin. Modern speakers rarely use it in casual conversation, preferring more common terms for home or gates.
Examples
He hasn't returned to his hometown for a long time.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 門, which is the standard, everyday word for a door or gate. Using 閭 in a casual setting will sound extremely archaic or pretentious.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- 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.
