sei3 zau1四週四周
Jyutpingsei3 zau1
Yalesei jāu
Definition
All around; surroundings; the vicinity.
neutralplacesdescriptions
How it's used
Focuses on the physical environment or the immediate vicinity of a person or place. While it can function as a noun meaning surroundings, it is most frequently used as an adverbial phrase to describe looking or moving in all directions. It carries a slightly more formal or descriptive tone compared to the more common spoken term 周圍.
Examples
There are trees all around here, the air is very fresh.
Related words
Common phrases
surrounding environment
Common mistake
Learners often confuse 四週 with 周圍. While they are synonyms, 周圍 is much more versatile and common in daily speech, whereas 四週 feels slightly more literary or descriptive of a specific physical boundary.
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.
