sou2 zi2嫂子
Jyutpingsou2 zi2
Yalesóu jí
Definition
An elder brother's wife, or the wife of a close friend.
colloquialfamilypeople
How it's used
Using 阿嫂 is the standard way to refer to an elder brother's wife or a close friend's wife in a respectful yet familiar manner. While 嫂子 is understood in Cantonese, it sounds more like a term from Mandarin or written media. Locals almost exclusively use 阿嫂 when speaking directly to someone or referring to them in conversation.
Measure word
go3個goRelated words
Common phrases
sister-in-law
Common mistake
Do not use 嫂子 in daily conversation as it sounds unnatural and overly formal. Stick to 阿嫂 to avoid sounding like you are reading from a textbook.
Grammar color guide
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Adjective
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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.
