waa6 zaai1話齋话斋
Jyutpingwaa6 zaai1
Yalewah jāai
Definition
As somebody says; used to agree with and cite someone's words.
colloquialcommunication
How it's used
This expression functions as a discourse marker to introduce a quote or a piece of conventional wisdom that the speaker intends to endorse. It is almost always preceded by the person or group being cited, creating a structure similar to "according to X." It carries a slightly informal tone, making it perfect for casual advice or sharing opinions during a conversation.
Examples
As Mom says, the most important thing in life is to be honest.
Do you believe what the experts say about it raining heavily tomorrow?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use it as a direct translation of "according to," but it specifically implies that the speaker agrees with or is highlighting the validity of the cited opinion. It is not suitable for neutral reporting of facts or data.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
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Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
