ngaan5 zai2眼仔
Jyutpingngaan5 zai2
Yalengáahn jái
Definition
Web camera or peephole.
- slangweb camera; webcam
- peephole; door viewer
colloquialtechnologyhome
How it's used
Using this term for a webcam is a playful, diminutive way to refer to the device, often implying it is small or built into a laptop. When referring to a door peephole, it is the standard colloquial term used by almost everyone in Hong Kong. It captures the idea of a small, watchful eye looking out from a secure space.
Measure word
zek3隻jekExamples
Someone is ringing the doorbell, go check the peephole quickly.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the idiom 眼仔碌碌, which describes someone having large, lively, and alert eyes. Context is essential to distinguish between the electronic device and the physical feature.
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.
