tou2 zyu3土著
Jyutpingtou2 zyu3
Yaletóu jyu
Definition
Indigenous people; original inhabitants or aborigines of a region.
neutralpeople
How it's used
This term is primarily used in academic or historical contexts to describe indigenous populations. When referring to people in a modern, everyday social context, it can sound detached or even slightly derogatory depending on the tone. It is safer to use specific ethnic names or terms like 原居民 when discussing local inhabitants in Hong Kong.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
They are the indigenous people there and are very familiar with the forest.
Are there still indigenous people living on this island?
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this word to describe local Hong Kong people in a casual setting, as it carries a strong connotation of being primitive or tribal, which is not how Hong Kongers view themselves.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
