ngan2 zai2銀仔银仔
Jyutpingngan2 zai2
Yalengán jái
Definition
Coin; metallic currency, usually of a lower denomination than paper money.
colloquialmoney
How it's used
Refers specifically to metal currency, often used when someone needs small change for a vending machine or a bus fare. It carries a slightly more informal and tactile feel than the more generic term 硬幣. It is common to hear people ask for 銀仔 when they need to break a larger banknote into smaller denominations.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
Do you still have any coins in your pocket?
This machine only accepts coins.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 銀紙, which refers to paper banknotes. Using them interchangeably will lead to confusion, especially when dealing with cash payments.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
