sai3 ze2細姐细姐
Jyutpingsai3 ze2
Yalesai jé
Definition
A term of address used for a father's concubine.
colloquialfamilypeople
How it's used
This term is a traditional form of address for a father's concubine, reflecting the complex family structures of older generations. It functions as a respectful yet distant title, distinguishing her from one's biological mother. While less common in modern nuclear families, it remains a part of the vocabulary used to navigate historical kinship hierarchies.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
Did you go for dim sum today, Auntie?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 姐姐, which refers to an older sister. Using this term for a stranger or a domestic helper is inappropriate and carries a specific historical connotation regarding family status.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
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Grammar guides
- 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.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
