wai1 ji5 si1威爾斯威尔斯
Jyutpingwai1 ji5 si1
Yalewāi yíh sī
Definition
Wales, a country in the UK; in Hong Kong, also refers to Prince of Wales Hospital.
- Wales; a country in southwest Great Britain, part of the United Kingdom
- Prince of Wales Hospital, a public hospital in Sha Tin, Hong Kong
colloquialplaceshealth
How it's used
Context is crucial when using this term in Hong Kong. While it refers to the country in Europe, locals frequently use it as a shorthand for the Prince of Wales Hospital in Sha Tin. If someone mentions going to 威爾斯 for a check-up or to visit a patient, they are almost certainly referring to the hospital rather than the nation.
Examples
He had surgery at Prince of Wales Hospital.
Do you know where Wales is?
Related words
Common phrases
Prince of Wales Hospital
Common mistake
Learners often confuse the country name with the hospital name. If you are talking about travel, ensure the context is clear so listeners do not assume you are talking about a medical visit to the hospital in Sha Tin.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
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.
