syun1 zai2孫仔孙仔
Jyutpingsyun1 zai2
Yalesyūn jái
Definition
Grandson; a son's or daughter's son.
colloquialfamilypeople
How it's used
Refers specifically to a male grandchild, distinguishing him from a granddaughter who is called 孫女. While it literally means son's son or daughter's son, elderly people often use it as an affectionate term for any young boy they are close to, even if there is no blood relation. It carries a warm, familial tone that makes it common in casual conversation between neighbors or acquaintances.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
How old is your grandson?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use this term for a granddaughter, as the gender distinction is strict in Cantonese. If you are unsure of the gender or want to refer to grandchildren collectively, use 孫 instead.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
