mou5 zi2母子
Jyutpingmou5 zi2
Yalemóuh jí
Definition
Mother and son.
neutralfamilypeople
How it's used
This term is primarily used in formal or written contexts to describe the biological or social relationship between a mother and her son. In everyday spoken Cantonese, people almost always prefer using 媽媽同仔 to describe the pair. It carries a slightly more detached or descriptive tone compared to the warmer, more personal way of referring to family members in conversation.
Measure word
deoi3對deuiExamples
The mother and son have a very good relationship.
This mother and son often go for dim sum together.
Related words
Common phrases
mother-son relationship
Common mistake
Avoid using this to address the people directly, as it sounds clinical and impersonal. It is a descriptive noun for the relationship or the pair, not a term of address.
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.
