nei1 zek3 je5呢隻嘢呢只嘢
Jyutpingnei1 zek3 je5
Yalenēi jek yéh
Definition
This thing, creature, or animal.
colloquialdaily actionsdescriptions
How it's used
Use this phrase to refer to an object or animal when you have forgotten its name or want to sound casual. It carries a slightly informal or dismissive tone, so avoid using it in professional or formal settings. It is essentially a combination of the demonstrative 呢, the classifier 隻, and the generic noun 嘢.
Examples
This thing is so cute, I want to buy it and take it home.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use this for people, as it is dehumanizing and can be considered rude or offensive. Stick to using it for inanimate objects or animals.
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.
