si1 gaau1私交

Jyutpingsi1 gaau1

Yalesī gāau

名詞

Definition

Personal friendship; close personal relationship.

colloquialpeople

How it's used

Focuses specifically on the private or informal nature of a relationship, often implying that the connection exists outside of a professional or public setting. It is frequently used to explain why someone might be receiving special treatment or why two people are seen together in a non-work context. Unlike general terms for friends, this highlights the depth and exclusivity of the bond.

Examples

ngo5我tung4同keoi5佢si1私gaau1交dou1都gei2幾hou2好㗎。

I have a pretty good personal friendship with him.

nei5你dei6哋si1私gaau1交hou2好m4唔hou2好aa4呀？

Are you two close friends?

Common phrases

si1私gaau1交hou2好hou2好

have a very good personal relationship

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with 朋友, which is a general term for friend. 私交 describes the quality and nature of the relationship itself rather than the person, so it is rarely used as a direct label for a friend.